Lepcha Community Begins Historic March to Kolkata for Recognition of Their Language

YOWAN MOTHAY,  KALIMPONG, DEC 9, 2025: In a historic and momentous step towards preserving their cultural heritage, the Lepcha community on Tuesday launched a foot march from Kalimpong to Kolkata, demanding the formal inclusion of the Lepcha language in the school curriculum of West Bengal. The march, which has been organised under the banner of ‘Save Lepcha Language’, began at Damber Chowk in Kalimpong and has already gathered significant support from local leaders, community activists, and organisations advocating for indigenous rights.

The march was flagged off in the presence of several prominent figures, including Hill Trinamool Congress leader Shanta Chettri and Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) Central Convenor, Ajay Edwards, among other key personalities. The initiative is seen as a crucial and historic movement aimed at safeguarding the Lepcha language, one of the oldest and most significant languages in the region.

Before the march set off, Dorjee T. Lepcha, the President of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, addressed the crowd and passionately spoke about the importance of the Lepcha language. He emphasised that the Lepcha language is not just a means of communication but also a profound representation of the community's rich history, culture, and geography. “The Lepcha language is the original language of these hills. It is deeply rooted in the fabric of the region’s identity,” Dorjee T. Lepcha said. He stressed the need for its preservation and integration into the educational system of West Bengal.

“If the Lepcha language is given respect, all languages of the hills will receive equal dignity. The meanings of many place names in this region are derived from Lepcha. This demand is not just for the Lepcha people but for all residents of these hills,” he added.

The march’s participants are hopeful that this effort will lead to the formal recognition of the Lepcha language in the school curriculum of West Bengal, a step that the community believes will empower future generations to learn, read, and write in their mother tongue. Dorjee also expressed his confidence in the present government’s commitment to development in the region, pointing to the formation of the Lepcha Development Board, which has led to various positive changes. “We hope this government will give us justice for the Lepcha language as well. We will continue until we achieve our goal,” Dorjee declared.

The campaign is part of a broader push by the Lepcha community to secure the constitutional rights of its members and ensure the preservation of their unique cultural and linguistic identity. “Our children must have the opportunity to study in their own language. We are simply asking for our constitutional rights,” Dorjee stated with conviction.

Before embarking on their long march to Kolkata, the Lepcha delegation submitted a memorandum to the Kalimpong District Administration. The memorandum, led by Hill Trinamool Congress leader Shanta Chettri, included a formal demand for the compulsory inclusion of the Lepcha language in government school curricula, the protection of the linguistic rights of the Lepcha people, and the preservation of the community’s cultural identity. This official request marks another important step in the community’s ongoing struggle to secure their rights.

The participants of the march, which is expected to take several days, are determined to send a powerful message to the state government in Kolkata. They believe that walking the long distance from Kalimpong to Kolkata will strengthen their appeal for the formal recognition of their language. Supporters of the movement have hailed the march as a crucial and historic step in the fight to preserve the Lepcha language and ensure that the cultural identity of future generations is protected.

One of the supporters of the march expressed, “This is a day dedicated to our community, demanding the preservation of the Lepcha language. I would like to extend my gratitude to Madam Shanta Chettri and Mr. Ajoy Edwards, who have been instrumental in advocating for the Lepchas of Mayel Lyang and the preservation of our language. I personally thank the people of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and all those around the world who have supported our demand to preserve the Lepcha language.”

Ajay Edwards, the IGJF leader, also added, “Until and unless we raise our voice, no one will listen or take action. Even after 79 years of independence, our community is still denied the recognition of our oldest language. We have written numerous letters to the government, submitted memorandums, and made many requests. But all we’ve received are verbal assurances. Now is the time to demand our rights—not just through papers, but through action.”

The march has become a symbol of the Lepcha community’s resilience and determination to safeguard their linguistic heritage. The community hopes that their efforts will inspire further support from the public and push the state government to take immediate action to include the Lepcha language in the school curriculum. As the march progresses towards Kolkata, the ‘Save Lepcha Language’ campaign continues to gain momentum, and the participants remain resolute in their commitment to their cause.