Political Activities Renew Focus on Gorkhaland Statehood Demand in Darjeeling Hills

MP, July 13, 2026, Darjeeling: After a lull, the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland has been resurrected with different political exercises taking place in the Darjeeling Hills.

From an all-party meeting to a long march, the demand for Gorkhaland is reverberating in the Hills once more.

A meeting for different regional political parties was held in Darjeeling on Saturday.

The Naya Party Nirman Samiti (NPNS), which convened the meeting, has sent a four-page memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Union government to expedite the process for a Permanent Political Solution (PPS) for the Darjeeling Hills, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars, reiterating that the creation of a separate State of Gorkhaland under Article 3 of the Constitution remains the only enduring solution.

The memorandum states that during the consultative process, the term “Permanent Political Solution” has consistently been understood by Gorkha stakeholders as the formation of a separate State of Gorkhaland.

It argues that Parliament is constitutionally empowered under Article 3 to create a new state and urged the Centre to initiate the constitutional process accordingly.

“In the recommendations to the Union Home Minister, the NPNS has appealed to the Union Cabinet to approve a Bill for the creation of Gorkhaland and requested MP Raju Bista to support the proposed constitutional process in Parliament. The organisation said its appeal was made in view of the approaching Monsoon Session of Parliament and expressed faith in the Constitution and Parliament to arrive at a just and lasting settlement,” stated Birendra Rasaily of the NPNS.

This was discussed in depth at Saturday’s meeting in Darjeeling.

Parties attending the meeting included the GNLF, IGJF, BGPM, and GJM.

“Voices demanding Gorkhaland must unite. The IGJF supports the demand for Gorkhaland with body, mind and resources,” stated Puran Tamang of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF).

In another development, Ayush Adhikari, a youth leader who recently tendered his resignation from the IGJF, has announced a long march from Siliguri to Darjeeling for Gorkhaland.

The March will commence on July 13 at 9 am from Darjeeling More in Siliguri and end at the Mahakal Temple in Darjeeling on July 14.

On the night of July 13, Adhikari will be halting at Kurseong.

“I invite all to join the march called the ‘Saffron Movement.’ It is not organised by any political party. All those who aspire for Gorkhaland and the Gorkha identity should join. On July 14, I will unfurl a flag at the Mahakal Temple in Darjeeling and announce future programmes,” stated Adhikari while speaking to Millennium Post.

Political observers opine that the BJP’s response to the revived Gorkhaland demand will be closely watched, now that the party is in power at both the State and the Centre.