Renewed Call for Gorkhaland State Following Proposal by Union Minister
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/29th July 2024
Union Minister of State for Development of Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar, has reignited the demand for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland with his recent proposal to include North Bengal in the northeastern region. Majumdar, who is also the president of the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), announced on Wednesday that he had submitted this proposal to the Prime Minister.
This suggestion has stirred significant political activity in the hills, particularly among those advocating for Gorkhaland. On Saturday, Mann Ghisingh, leader of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), issued an ultimatum to the BJP leadership, demanding a resolution to the long-standing issues of the Gorkhas by April 5, 2025.
The GNLF, which has been an ally of the BJP, has a deep-rooted history in the struggle for Gorkhaland. Mann Ghisingh is the son of Subhas Ghisingh, the founder of the GNLF, who initiated the campaign for a separate state in the 1980s. Speaking to reporters, Mann Ghisingh emphasized the need for unity among all political parties in the hills, urging them to let past conflicts be forgotten. He called on Darjeeling’s BJP MP, Raju Bista, to advocate for the Gorkhas’ demands at the central level.
The issue of Gorkhaland has resurfaced with renewed vigor following Majumdar’s remarks. The BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha election notably omits any mention of Gorkhaland, in contrast to their 2019 and 2014 manifestos, which promised a “permanent political settlement” to the issues raised by the Gorkhas.
Other leaders from hill parties have also highlighted the Gorkhaland issue in response to Majumdar’s proposal. Bimal Gurung, president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), indicated that his party is actively discussing the matter. The call for a separate Gorkhaland state is not new; it has been a persistent demand among the Gorkha community, who seek recognition and autonomy within India.
The proposal to include North Bengal in the northeastern region has sparked hopes among Gorkhaland supporters that their longstanding demands might finally be addressed. However, the BJP’s silence on the issue in their current manifesto has raised concerns among the Gorkhas, who fear that their aspirations might once again be sidelined.
The political landscape in the hills remains tense, with various factions weighing in on the renewed call for Gorkhaland. The unity Mann Ghisingh advocates for among the hill parties could prove crucial in maintaining a consolidated front in their negotiations with the central government.
As the April 2025 deadline approaches, the pressure mounts on the BJP to honor their past promises and address the Gorkhas’ demands. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the Gorkhaland movement gains momentum or if it faces further setbacks in its quest for statehood.
In summary, the proposal by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar has revitalized the push for Gorkhaland, bringing the issue back to the forefront of political discourse in the region. The demand for a separate state, driven by historical grievances and the desire for greater autonomy, continues to be a contentious and significant topic in Indian politics.