Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Shifts Focus to Gorkhaland Statehood; All-Party Meet Demands Unified Stand

KalimNews, Darjeeling, November 9, 2025 : In a dramatic shift in its political strategy, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has formally abandoned its long-standing advocacy for the Gorkhaland Territorial Region (GTR) and reasserted its demand for a full-fledged Gorkhaland state. This change in approach was made during an all-party meeting held in Darjeeling on Sunday, where political leaders from various parties came together to consolidate their stance on the region's future.

The meeting, convened by the GJM, saw participation from five of the twelve invited political parties. Among the key attendees were the BJP, GJM, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM), Sumeti Mukti Morcha, and the Gorkha Rashtriya Nirman Morcha. However, notable absentees included several significant political parties, such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the CPI(M), Congress, and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), which raised concerns about the meeting's seriousness.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri confirmed that the parties present had unanimously agreed to present a united demand for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland, encompassing the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars regions. “We have decided to raise the demand for Gorkhaland with the interlocutor in one voice,” Giri said, emphasising that the GJM’s position would be firmly stated when the interlocutor appointed by the Centre visits the region.

The GJM’s shift from advocating for the Gorkhaland Territorial Region (GTR), a proposal that had been part of discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier this year, reflects growing dissatisfaction with the central government’s stance on autonomy. In a meeting with Bimal Gurung, the GJM president, Shah had suggested a model for GTR similar to the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam. However, the GJM rejected this proposal, arguing that it fell short of the aspirations of the Gorkha community, particularly concerning the inclusion of the Terai and Dooars regions.

“We will not accept any solution that excludes the Terai and Dooars. These areas are integral to our community’s identity, and we will continue to push for their inclusion in the Gorkhaland demand,” Giri reiterated, hinting at future discussions with stakeholders in the plains region to ensure their interests are also considered in the statehood demand.

The historical context of the Gorkhaland demand dates back over a century, with local communities in the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars regions seeking separation from Bengal since the early 1900s. Giri, speaking on behalf of the GJM leadership, underscored the constitutional validity of the Gorkhaland demand, citing it as an age-old movement with strong regional support. “This is not a new issue; it is a long-standing demand with constitutional backing,” he affirmed.

In addition to the statehood issue, the Gorkha Janjati Mahasangh, a group representing Gorkha communities, also staged a rally in Darjeeling on Sunday. The rally, which called for the inclusion of 11 Gorkha sub-communities in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, carried the slogan “No ST, No Vote.” 

The Mahasangh has threatened to withdraw its support for political parties if the demand is not addressed in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. “We may not form governments, but we can definitely break them,” warned Amit Thapa, General Secretary of the Mahasangh, emphasising the group's influence on electoral outcomes in the region. Recently, Raju Bista, MP for Darjeeling, held an interactive meeting with representatives of the Gorkha Janajati Mahasangh.

Criticism of absent parties was swift, with Giri accusing them of being more interested in political manoeuvring than in resolving the region's longstanding issues. “The parties that skipped the meeting are only interested in their own narrow political agendas. They are not concerned with the welfare of the people in the hills,” he said, referring particularly to the TMC, Congress, and CPI(M), which have been seen as key players in the regional political landscape.

The GJM's decision to escalate the demand for a full Gorkhaland state comes as the region grapples with a history of political uncertainty, and the political dynamics remain tense with the ongoing Gorkhaland movement. Political analysts believe the move will reignite debate over autonomy and lead to further calls for unity among the Gorkha community, particularly as the region heads toward the next set of elections.

As the situation unfolds, the GJM’s push for Gorkhaland statehood is likely to dominate the political discourse in Darjeeling and surrounding areas. The party’s decision to unite with other stakeholders, despite the absence of several key parties, is seen as a significant step in solidifying the Gorkha community’s resolve in its decades-long struggle for a separate state.