Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Condemns Offensive Racial Remark Against Gorkha Community on TV Debate in 2026

KalimNews, Guwahati (Assam), February 7, 2026 :  The Assam State Committee of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) has issued a strong condemnation following a deeply offensive and derogatory remark made by a spokesperson of the Assam Congress during a live talk show aired on ND24 on Friday.

The Congress spokesperson Shahijuddin Ahmed used the term “Nepali” in a demeaning and insulting manner while referring to a BJP spokesperson Ranjib Kumar Sarmah during a political debate programme hashtag on ND24 television. The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh has termed the comment as extremely racist, irresponsible, and a direct insult to the dignity of the Gorkha community.

Amar Adhikari, President of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Assam State Committee said: “This is not a slip of the tongue but a reflection of a dangerous mindset. Using the term ‘Nepali’ deliberately and repeatedly as a slur to insult someone is a direct attack on the identity and dignity of lakhs of Indian Gorkhas. The Gorkhas are proud Indian who have served and sacrificed for the nation in every sphere, from the freedom struggle movement, the armed forces to public service. Such remarks attempt to portray Gorkhas as illegal immigrants even today is both historically false and socially harmful.”

He further expressed shock that such language could be used on a public platform and questioned the accountability of the party leadership. “We demand to know how the Assam Congress allowed such an individual to represent the party on a popular television channel. Senior Congress leaders must clarify whether this statement reflects the party’s mindset. Silence in such matters amounts to endorsement," Amar Adhikari added.

The statement has called upon senior Assam Congress leaders, including president Shri Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Shri Debabrata Saikia, and senior leader Shri Bhupen Borah, to publicly condemn the remark and issue an unconditional apology to the Gorkha community.

Reacting to this issue Nanda Kirati Dewan, general secretary of Assam Pradesh Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh said, “Such a nonsense act goes beyond party politics, This is not a matter of political rivalry; it is about social harmony and respect among communities. Words that demean identities spread division and mistrust. Assam has always stood for unity in diversity, and such divisive language has no place in civil discourse.”

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh warned that if an apology is not forthcoming, the Gorkha community of Assam would consider democratic and constitutional means to register its protest and boycott the Congress in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The BJP spokesperson clearly stated about the contributions of freedom fighter Babu Chabilal Upadhyay, who founded the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee from Assam Association hundred years ago belonged to the Gorkha community yet the Congress spokesperson refused to apologise on the live TV debate despite being warned by the anchor.

Considering the above situation the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh concluded by urging all political parties and media platforms to ensure greater sensitivity and responsibility when discussing issues related to communities and identities.