We reached out to the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Darjeeling, to understand what is happening. He told us this is a normal seasonal flu type fever, nothing unusual for this time of year. When we asked whether the Department had conducted any autopsy to determine the exact virus or cause behind these deaths, he did not answer. We also asked if the Health Department has tracked these fever related deaths and how many have died due to similar symptoms, he did not answer that as well.

However, the CMOH said that such outbreaks are common with changing weather, and that the infection is not widespread, only confined to specific clusters. He claimed that the health department is monitoring the spread and taking samples from Matigara and Mirik, which showed no spike in cases. However, he did not provide us any documentary proof of his claim. Also this does not match what we are seeing on the ground. Deaths have been reported from different parts of the Darjeeling-Kalimpong region, not from one single cluster.

In Ghoom, a young man named Karma, only 37 years old, complained of fever. By the time he reached the hospital, he was already in critical condition, and could not be saved. In Lebong, Meena Sharma, a pioneering woman footballer who had represented the country internationally in the 1970s and 80s, died of similar fever. These are only two of the cases we are sharing here, due to paucity of space. However, many more such deaths have been reported across the hills, and in none of these cases has the health department conducted a postmortem to identify the actual virus responsible.

The Gag Order

We also note that government employees, including doctors and officers under the West Bengal Health Department, are bound by a circular issued by the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal, dated 19th May 2026, that places strict restrictions on any government employee sharing information with the press or speaking publicly about matters that could be seen as critical of government policy.

This may explain why officials on the ground are cautious about speaking openly, even when the public urgently needs information. But a circular meant to manage press relations should not come in the way of public health communication during a possible outbreak.

IMA Advisory

On 26th August, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a public health advisory on Seasonal Influenza A (H1N1), also known as Swine Flu. The advisory notes that India is witnessing a seasonal surge in H1N1 cases during the monsoon period, with over 1,770 laboratory confirmed cases in Delhi alone, along with cases in Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal.

It lists the common symptoms as high grade fever with chills, persistent dry cough and sore throat, severe muscle aches, headache, a runny or congested nose, and in some cases nausea, vomiting or loose stools.

It also lists warning signs that call for immediate emergency care, including difficulty breathing, chest pain, bluish discolouration of lips or fingers, coughing up blood, confusion or seizures, and persistent vomiting.

Given the pattern of these deaths, sudden high fever, severe muscle aches, rapid deterioration, and no recovery, this raises an important question. Could Swine Flu be behind what we are seeing in Darjeeling? The IMA advisory is clear that most H1N1 infections are mild and treatable, and that there is no cause for panic. But that reassurance depends on cases being tracked, tested and confirmed, which is exactly what does not appear to be happening here.

We appeal to the Ministry of Health, Government of India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the West Bengal Health Department to step in with greater monitoring of this situation. We ask that post mortems be conducted to identify the actual cause of these deaths, and that a clear advisory on preventive steps, including the warning signs that need emergency care, be issued directly to the general public, not just to hospitals and frontline workers.

Lives are being lost, and the people of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri have a right to know what they are up against. We do not have the answer. But the people of this region deserve to know. They deserve a health department that investigates rather than reassures without evidence.

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Anatomy of Ambition by Upendra examines how in trying to cling on-to power in a body nobody wants – GTA, Ajoy Edwards is coming across as power-hungry and doing himself a great dis-service.

In May of 2022, when the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections were declared, people in Darjeeling region saw it as West Bengal government’s attempt at legitimizing the illegitimate regime they had foisted upon the people. There was a near unanimous agreement that any such election should be boycotted.

The Gorkhaland andolan of 2017, and how it was subverted using “traitors” from among our own people, had left a lot of ill-will against the Trinamool Congress led West Bengal government.

Former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders like Binoy Tamang, Anit Thapa, Sanchabir Subba along with the former Darjeeling MLA Amar Rai, Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma and a few others took control of GJM in the absence of Bimal Gurung. But they were regard as GJM 2 by the people in general.

From 2017 to 2022, the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal ran the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration using proxies in the form of “Board of Administrators (BoA)”. Binoy Tamang was appointed as the BoA Chairman, with Anit Thapa as the BoA Deputy Chairman. Amar Rai, Sanchabir Subba, Anu Pradhan and J Khatoon were handed responsibilities of various departments on 2nd of Nov, 2017.

The defeat of TMC-GJM2 “Bhumiputra” candidate Amar Rai in the 2019 general elections,brought to fore the rifts in the GJM-2 camp. Further, the defeat of Binoy Tamang in 2019 MLA bye-elections and his unceremonious removal as the head of GJM-2 and GTA Board of Administrators Chairman in April of 2019 helped Anit Thapa consolidate his control over GJM-2.

With Anit finally in complete control, he played smart and gave up on the GJM2 label. He then started a new political outfit the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) or as they were popularly referred to as “Tantrik-Morcha” on 9th of Sept, 2021.

Once Anit was on a firm footing, TMC government in West Bengal started preparing grounds for conducting GTA elections.

That is when Ajoy Edwards announced the launch of his new political party, all the way from Ladakh. He made good on his words and launched “Hamro Party” on 25th of Nov, 2021.

By December 2024 Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma and Binoy Tamang were both shown the door by Anit, and they ended up joining TMC on 24th of Dec, 2021.

There was a near unanimous agreement among all all political parties with some history in Darjeeling, that the GTA elections should be boycotted. Other than the newly formed Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which for all intent and purpose was viewed as TMC Team-B. Further legitimacy to the farcical GTA election was given by Edward’s Hamro Party, which contested the elections.

In the absence of any credible opposition, as expected BGPM won majority and Hamro Party also won some seats.

From a purely political perspective, had Hamro Party not contested the 2022 GTA elections, it would have automatically de-legitimized the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, and perhaps compelled the TMC government to negotiate actual autonomy with the hill people. With Edwards and his merry men contesting the elections, they provided credibility to the GTA elections, that was majorly rigged by Kolkata.

Now in 2026, Anit Thapa has resigned as GTA Chairman, along with some of his party Sabhasads. What is interesting to note is that neither Edwards or any of Hamro Party (which incidentally does not exist today) sabhasads have bothered to resign from the GTA Sabha. There is a very good chance that Edwards may end up becoming the GTA Chairman, thus fulfilling his long-held ambition of running the GTA (else why bother contesting an election everyone else had boycotted?).

Despite IGJF’s holier-than-though claims of them wanting to retain GTA Sabha to check on GTA corruption, the fact of the matter is that increased GTA budget allows whoever controls GTA to be in control of the political future of Darjeeling region.

All claims to contrary, there are strong indications that Edwards hopes it’s him in control of the GTA purse, and possibly the future of Darjeeling. Others may not see it, but a pattern definitely emerges.

We all remember the infamous episode, when the GNLF sent an e-mail to Mamata Banerjee calling for talks at the height of 2017 Gorkhaland Andolan. Recently a GNLF leader Sandeep Limbu highlighted that the email was in all likelihood sent from an address associated with Edward’s.

Glenary’s was the first major business establishment to defy 2017 Andolan strike and open their doors for business, at a time when entire Darjeeling was shut down, united in demanding Gorkhaland.

I have always admired Ajoy Da, and personally I respect him deeply. What I fear is that in trying to cling on-to power in a body nobody wants – GTA, he is coming across as power-hungry, and doing himself a great dis-service. If I was him, I would have been the first to call for resignation from GTA, and put pressure on BJP Government, both in the state and the center to form Gorkhaland state or UT.

Ambition, masked in the form of altruism is one of the greatest evils. Public toilets have been sold in Darjeeling by individuals portraying the “humble to earth” persona. Edwards’ ambition could be harmful for the greater Gorkha cause.

All should ponder. Most of all he.

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Freebies and Financial Mess – The Cost of Populism by Upendra examines how West Bengal’s economy has suffered under Freebie culture

In 2011, when the CPIM government lost power in West Bengal they left behind a debt of around Rs 1.75 lakh crores. Over the 15 years the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has added another Rs 6.25 lakh crores to this debt. Today the total debt of West Bengal is around Rs 7.75- Rs 8 lakh cr­­ores. Institutionalised fiscal mismanagement, has today turned West Bengal into what many economists call a “financial hell-hole”, where public resources go to die a slow and painful death by freebies. Public money is being wasted on things that do not help the state in the long run.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government coming to power, there was hope that they would be more fiscally responsible, and they may be after six months in power. But as of today, they too seem to be eager to continuing down a similar path of unsustainable populism. The various freebies announced by the BJP pre-poll and their post-poll execution will significantly strain the state exchequer.

As of 2025 more than 2.2 crore women in West Bengal are getting money from the Laxmi Bhandar scheme. These women will also likely qualify to get Rs 3,000 per month from the “Annapurna Bhandar” scheme that the BJP has initiated. This will cost the state around Rs 79,200 crore every year.

There are also around 85 lakh unemployed youth who will get Rs 3,000 per month. This will cost the state further Rs 30,600 crore per year. The government also announced Rs 2,000 pensions for 45 lakh senior citizens and widows. This will cost an additional Rs 10,800 crore per year. These schemes alone will cost West Bengal over Rs 1.2 lakh crore every year.

The state is already paying a lot of money as interest on loans. In the year 2025-26 alone, West Bengal paid around Rs 50,000 crore as interest. This is an annually recurring cost that the government cannot avoid.

The Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari has said that the BJP government will continue all the welfare programmes started by the TMC. These include Kanyashree, which helps girls with education and costs Rs 16,554 crore. There is also Krishak Bandhu, which helps farmers and costs Rs 27,016 crore per year. Rupashree, which helps girls get married costs Rs 1,500 crore. Taruner Swapno, which gives tablets and smartphones to students costs Rs 1,000 crore per year. The state also spends around Rs 5,000 crore per year on schemes for Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Minorities.

All these “welfare schemes” cost around Rs 2.25 lakh crore every year. This money is not used to develop infrastructure, create jobs or help the economy grow.

The states own revenue projections showcase the massive financial abyss the state is staring into. The tax revenue collection for the year 2026-27 is estimated to be around Rs 2.19 lakh crore. This means that West Bengal will not have money to cover all the “freebies” they are giving out. I have not even included the cost of running the government like salaries and pensions for employees, or funds needed for developing the state.

The inevitable result will be that West Bengal will have to resort to further borrowing from markets or the Central Government to bridge the widening fiscal gap.

This cycle of debt and freebies has persisted across governments in West Bengal for over a decade and a half. What began under the Left Front and intensified under TMC, now risks becoming continued under BJP.

For the BJP government to succeed where CPIM and TMC have failed, it must take hard decisions and channelize these unproductive capital into productive avenues. The people of West Bengal do not want freebies, they would rather the government invested in infrastructure, skill development, developing industries, provisioning better schools, colleges and university level education, and sustainable rural and urban growth that would generate genuine jobs and revenue.

West Bengal possesses immense potential, yet its strategic location with a young demographic raring to go remain under-utilised. Redirecting even a fraction of the Rs 2.25 lakh crore currently locked in cash transfers towards capital expenditure could transform the state’s economy. Without such a shift, the “fiscal hell-hole” will only deepen, burdening future generations with interest payments and stalled development.

The new government has a narrow window to break this cycle. It is advisable that instead of continued populism which will perpetuate financial ruin of the state, the government should focus on being prudent today to ensure prosperity for the citizens’ tomorrow.

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BJP May not be ready for Gorkhaland, Gorkhas are – Upendra argues we are capable enough to run our own state even if local BJP leaders may have doubts about their own abilities

A few days after winning elections, BJP Darjeeling District President Sanjeev Lama made a proclamation, “Gorkhas are not ready for Gorkhaland”. He defended the statement by saying that our youths need to be involved in politics and we need to remove the old-guards who have used “Gorkhaland sentiment” only as a tool for earning their livelihood. As if the political-suicide wasn’t over, Sanjeev Lama doubled down in a press meet and further said, “look around you won’t find a single, honest, capable Gorkha leader who is ready to be the Chief Minister”. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, so I watched that twice just to make sure what I heard was right.

Perhaps what he didn’t anticipate was the immediate question asked by the journalist present there, “Do you mean to say even Sanjeev Lama is not honest or capable of being a Chief Minister?”

In proclaiming that, there is not a single honest Gorkha capable of becoming a Chief Minister, perhaps Sanjeev forgot that he too is a Gorkha, and that he too could become the Chief Minister, if Gorkhaland state was formed.

But, what he said had me extremely worried.

He is a Gorkhaland premi, as much as you and I. He too had to go underground following the 2017 Andolan. He parted ways with Bimal Gurung when Bimal supported Mamata Banerjee in 2021. So Sanjeev is who has remained true to the Gorkha cause. But imagine, what kind of political realization must have he come to, to be so convinced, that there’s not a single honest Gorkha, capable of leading Gorkhaland statehood.

This brings me to a greater worry.

If BJP District President is convinced that Gorkhas are not ready for Gorkhaland, who else is convinced similarly? Does this chain of thought extend to MP Raju Bista, Home Minister Amit Shaha and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, or is this line of thought confined to Kolkata-BJP alone?

Way before any of us were born, our ancestors understood the need for a separate administrative set-up for the Gorkhas, which is why the demand for autonomy for our region extends back to 1907. When gentle reminders didn’t work, it led to the 1986-88 andoland for Gorkhaland statehood. Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council was established in 1988, which failed to meet the aspirations of the people. This resulted in Gorkhaland statehood demands from 2007-2011, in 2013 after Telangana was formed, and in 2017 after West Bengal government under TMC tried to make impose Bengali language on the Gorkhas.

Over the decades I have been on this planet, I have seen Gorkha people mature politically, economically, educationally and in every other way possible.

Today Gorkhas are everywhere, from being Scientists in ISRO to teaching in IITs and IIMs, from flying fighter-jets to conducting path-breaking research top universities in India and internationally. Gorkhas are some of the top ranked Army Officers and academics, actors, singers, administrators and what not.

What they lack is a political space.

Be honest to yourself, can a Gorkha ever aspire to be the Chief Minister of West Bengal? Since Independence, name one Gorkha Minister in the Central Government?

Despite being capable in every other way, we – the Gorkhas have been sidelined politically. Which is why, this need and demand for Political autonomy exists.

BJP may think that Gorkhas are not ready for Gorkhaland, but Gorkhas know, we are. However, in articulating this, perhaps the BJP District President is hinting at the fact that BJP may renege on their pre-poll promise, which they have been making since 2009.

As the American writer Robert G. Ingersoll once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power…”

Perhaps, after coming to Power, BJP is starting to show their true character. Beware Gorkhas.

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Gorkha Politicians, if you guys really want to ensure Gorkha welfare – come together and work together. Your unity will strengthen the Gorkha cause – writes Upendra

BJP has won a historic mandate in West Bengal, and they are now in control of the state and the center. Soon they will control all the municipalities and panchayats as well. Having closely observed BJP and how they function, it is more than likely, they will introduce a fiscally liberal, but socially and politically conservative regime.

They will attract and encourage private investments in all sectors, the will build roads, highways, and provide basic infrastructure, even in remotest of places. They will be good for generating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, and for providing a government that actually works for the people. For a state like West Bengal, which has been governed in a mafia like style with violence, threat intimidation, BJP will provide a welcome alternative.

However, I am worried, that this massive mandate will enable BJP to run the state in a vice-like grip. This may not bode well for ethnic minorities like the Gorkhas. While BJP has said they will ensure Constitutional Solution, but such arrangements may once again fail to meet our expectation. What happens then?

We have a window of six months maximum, in which we can still leverage our collective issues. But divided voices will drown out our demands. Hence, it will be prudent for Gorkhas to come together and unite.

I am writing this as a warning to all Gorkha politicians. You will not be able to save regionalism, or a space for Gorkhas, if you hand-over your autonomy to a national party, just because you cannot keep your ego aside against your own brother and blood. Your divisions has already benefited Bengal. If you continue to divide, we will continue to be governed from Kolkata and Delhi, not Darjeeling.

The only way we can protect our autonomy, and all of your political future as well, is by uniting. Bimal Gurung, Anit Thapa, Ajoy Edwards and Mann Ghising, if you guys really want to ensure Gorkha welfare – come together and work together. Your unity will strengthen the Gorkha cause. Keep your ego aside. Keep old hurts aside. Merge and form a strong united front. Don’t allow yourselves to be used against each other by Kolkata or Delhi anymore.

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Founded in 1976 by the legendary PTI journalist Late. Ram Patro sir, just a year after Sikkim’s merger with India, Sikkim Express(SE) has remained steadfast in their duty towards the people of Sikkim and in fostering democracy in the region. Today, as they complete five decades of service, SE has evolved from a small publication, to a vital pillar of democracy in Sikkim and the neighbouring Darjeeling-Kalimpong region as well.

In 2003, the new Editor-in-Chief Amit Patro, who was only 24-yrs old at that time transformed Sikkim Express into a daily newspaper, and changed the media landscape in the entire Sikkim-Darjeeling region. In a way, the growth of Sikkim Express has by and large mirrored Sikkim’s maturing from a small and isolated Himalayan kingdom, to one of the fastest developing states in India today.

My tryst with Sikkim Express began around 2013-14 when I sent them a few articles. In 2017, when Gorkhaland andolan broke out, and the West Bengal police made it impossible for me to report from Darjeeling, I had shifted my base to Sikkim temporarily. That is when I first met Amit Patro and his dedicated team of journalists.

When Darjeeling was silenced, it was Sikkim who spoke for us, and Sikkim Express had the loudest voice against the atrocities that were being meted out on the Gorkahs. It was Sikkim Express that connected numerous national newspapers and news outlets to the on-ground activists in Darjeeling and Kalimpong region. They did not let threat and intimidation from the powers that be, silence their voices, nor ours.

As Sikkim Express completes 50-years today, I cannot help but thank them for upholding objectivity, for upholding the values of journalism, for being the platform through which our region has learned to express ourselves. Your perseverance, dedicated and hard-working staff, and fearlessness in Sikkim, enable us to be courageous here in Darjeeling.

To the entire Sikkim Express team, past and present – we owe you a debt of gratitude. One which we will never be able to pay back, but which we honour every single day by upholding the values of journalism you represent.

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Interlocutor Blues analyses the political development that have unfolded, following the annoucement of an Interlocutor for taking forward the talks related to Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars

General Bipin Rawat had once said “India has to be ready for a two-and-a-half front war”, with the half referring to unnamed internal enemies, who are always ready to do the bidding of others. Of late, I have come to realize, in Darjeeling, the Gorkhas are also fighting a two-and-a-half front war. We are not just fighting those who are opposed to us, we are fighting among ourselves, divided on party lines, and even within the party, there are further frictions.

Who does this help? Definitely not the Gorkhas.

The Interlocutor

On the 16^th of October, 2025 the Ministry of Home Affairs appointed former Deputy National Security Advisor (Dy-NSA) retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as the Interlocutor and Government of India Representative to hold discussions on the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal.

As reported in the Telegraph, and as read by a senior journalist on a Live show, his mandate is to “undertake constructive dialogue with various stakeholders including representatives of Gorkha organisations on the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal and suggest measures to resolve issues and roadmap in this regard.”

Further, “to hold discussions with other stakeholders in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal in this regard.”

Furthermore, “Recommend measures for socio-economic upliftment, cultural recognition, and preservation of cultural heritage of Gorkhas in the region, and addressing their aspirations within the Constitutional framework.”

A fairly broad mandate, which in my opinion encompasses all issues including Scheduled Tribe re-inclusion for the left-out Gorkha sub-tribes through the “cultural recognition and preservation of cultural heritage of Gorkhas in the region,” and the long-awaited Permanent Constitutional Solution for our region as encompassed in “addressing their aspirations within the Constitutional framework.” For me, what’s more important is that the area demarcated is Darjeeling hills, Tarai and Dooars, and the discussions will not just be confined to the Gorkhas, but will also incorporate views of “other stakeholders’ in the Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region.”

The appointment of a former Deputy-NSA, no less, signifies the seriousness with which the Central Government is going about this issue. A critical appointment, in a critical geography, which has direct implications on India’s National Security.

Interlocutor Blues

Even before the news of the appointment had been properly reported in the media, the ruling party in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, spokesperson for Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) Spokesperson had already denounced the appointment as another “Conspiracy to put the Gorkhas back in the sack – गोर्खालाई फेरि बोरामा हाल्ने षड्यंत्र.” They had further added, “the appointment of the Interlocutor by BJP has been done only for the sake of making it easy to give speeches.”

While Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Gorkha National Liberation Front, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) etc welcomed the announcement, the denouncements were louder to say the least.

On October 19^th the Indian Gorkha Jan Shakti Front (IGJF) held a press conference welcoming the appointment of the Interlocutor. This was followed closely by a Central Committee Member of IGJF through his article “Another Interlocutor, another election: Why Darjeeling Hills has reason to doubt” arguing that “under the BJP, interlocutors are appointed before major elections to create an impression of action, but once votes are secured, the dialogue loses urgency. The timing of the latest appointment, just ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, raises similar doubts about their intent”.

This has been followed by many “social workers” questioning the authenticity of the appointment, and demanding to know the mandate of the appointment.

On 18^th of October, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to the Prime Minister, expressing her “objection to the Central Government’s decision to appoint former IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as interlocutor for discussions on Gorkha-related issues in Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars”.

On October 24th IGJF Chief citing the letter written by Mamata Banerjee to the Prime Minister’s Office and the PMO allegedly forwarding it to the Home Ministry for reconsideration (as reported in the Telegraph), claimed that, this “exhibits the weakness of the BJP in the Centre and their Alliance Partners.” He had further appealed to the West Bengal Chief Minister thus, “We are not happy with the GTA, and you yourself had also said in the past that you would give us PPS. Therefore, this matter of the Interlocutor should be resolved quickly, because saying one thing before Tihar and something completely different after Tihar is not good – हामी जिटिएमा खुसी छैनौं अनि तपाईले पनि बिगतको दिनहरूमा पिपिएस म दिन्छु भन्नु भएको थियोे। त्यसर्थ यो इन्टरलोक्युटरको विषय चाडै समाधान होस् किनकी तिहार अघि एउटा कुरा अनि तिहार पछि अर्कै कुरा राम्रो होइन।“

On November 18th, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written another letter to the Prime Minister in which she has claimed, “it is a matter of grave concern that without any further communication in response to my letter and despite your kind intervention, the Office of the Interlocutor under Ministry of Home Affairs, has, vide Memo dated 10th November 2025, communicated that the office of the interlocutor HAS ALREADY STARTED FUNCTIONING, THIS IS REALLY SHOCKING”.

The Half Front

If you study the appointment of the Interlocutor issue, the Chief Minister of West Bengal has written two letters to the PMO, opposing the appointment. However, I am yet to see or become aware of any Gorkha politician writing to the PMO thanking for the appointment. I am sure our politicians are busy, but definitely they wouldn’t be as busy as the Chief Minister, would they?

What’s important to note here is that, the Chief Minister who, I am assuming is receiving all official communications, has already taken a stand against the appointment of the Interlocutor. The West Bengal government, thus emerge as the first front opposed to finding Constitutional Solution through constructive dialogue.

The second front will naturally be the political parties based in Bengal, like TMC or even BJP Bengal and Congress Bengal, who will outright oppose any solution for our region, they see it as an infringement on their domain.

What’s more worrisome is that while Gorkhas should be uniting and united for a cause, we are not working towards that. The call by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha for all political parties to attend a discussion regarding creating a common platform and agenda to take to the Interlocutor was met with cold shoulders by some political groups. Instead of uniting, it has exposed our existing fault lines further.

This is where, the half-front will come into play. They will try and create divisions, diversions, and doubts among us.

United we stand

I hope our politicians, and more importantly the citizens of our region will recognize the need for unity at this moment. In our unity, lies the defeat of those who have treated us as a distant colony, those who have treated us as a second-class citizen, those who have killed our brothers and sisters in cold blood.

Remember, the Interlocutor is not just a talks facilitator; he is also a Government of India representative with a wide mandate. So, let us put our best foot forward, and stay united. Let us ensure that the Constitutional Solution we derive through this exercise is something that will address our generational aspirations, safeguard our political, social, cultural, linguistic and economic space. Most important of all, let us ensure a Constitutional Solution which will address the crisis of identity that Gorkhas and the people from Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars have had to face till date – i.e a state called Gorkhaland

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Back in 1997, the former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had alleged MK Subba to be a citizen of Nepal, and even initiated a CBI query against him, a few months before he won the Lok Sabha election for the first time from Tezpur constituency in 1998. The issue of his citizenship prolonged. In 2007, one Ashok Kumar Subba, who was at that time a leader of the Janata Party lodged a complaint once again claiming that MK Subba was born in Nepal.

He lost the 2009 elections, and CBI despite taking over a decade could not prove him a citizen of Nepal.

Chamling Questioned

We know, Pawan Kumar Chamling as one of the longest serving Chief Ministers of Sikkim. Yet in 2009, BJP leaders accused PK Chamling of holding a dual citizenship. In fact, BJP leader Harendra Pratap, who was then in-Charge of BJP Affairs in the eight North-Eastern States went further and accused Chamling of being a votary of ‘Greater Nepal’ and that he has links with Nepal Maoists.

In 2018, one Padam Prakash Sharma repeated the allegations, claiming Chamling is a citizen of Nepal and should be disqualified, and in September 2018, Delhi High Court sought directions from the Central Government. This was also a few months before Sikkim elections, which were to be held in April 2019.

Incidentally, SDF lost the 2019 elections and paved way for the SKM government to be formed. That case has now gone hush.

Anit – A word of caution

The allegations against Anit Thapa are not new. They had surfaced prior to 2021 elections, and are again being repeated as the West Bengal Assembly elections are near.

Those who have followed my writings over the years, will know, I will be the last person to defend Anit Thapa. However, having seen politics much closer than most people do, I have come to realize that, alleging a Gorkha politician of being a “foreigner – citizen of Nepal” is the easiest way to dent their reputation.

Not that Anit Thapa has a stellar reputation, however, I personally feel that, those making such allegations, should have a more solid grounds to stand on.

Of course, it is your right to know, and of course it is your right to find answers to if someone occupying the post of a cabinet Minister is actually a citizen of our nation or not. But speak about it, once you have concrete proof, if Anit is an Indian citizen or not. Merely pandering the allegations, that too, based on allegations made by an obscure website in Nepal, and doing press release followed by press releases, doesn’t help anyone, other than your politics.

It may perhaps help, if those making such allegations reflected on the fact that, every such allegations against Gorkha politicians, harms the “Gorkha identity” further, and by extension, all Gorkhas (including the Sikkimese Nepalis) are viewed with suspicion.

The post “FOREIGNER” – The tag that hounds Gorkhas (and Sikkimese Nepalis) appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

In the midst of a very sensitive negotiations in Delhi, our entire region is about to explode into a communal strife – jat-jat-ko-ladai. I fear, the powers that be are deliberately setting this game up to derail the Gorkha ST movement.

Here’s why…

An absolute nobody, who claims to be a “chef” – comes out from nowhere and starts writing multiple articles on critical issues – from politics to society, one after the other. His articles, some of which were outright inflammatory, misleading and stupid, were however given platform by prominent online portals in both Darjeeling and Sikkim. He even joins a political party and quits.

As the name recognition of this individual grows, he makes a highly derogatory comment against the Gorkha sub-tribe – Bahuns.

It takes a while for the outrage to begin, but the outrage begins from Sikkim and then Darjeeling follows. The Sikkim Police pursues that ‘chef’ and brings him back.

Once back, he gives a bizarre interview, which is being used by politicians to their benefit. But from what I hear, jat-jat-ko-organisations are also being riled up and instigated to react to that statement- through demonstrations. What’sApp groups are being formed, facebook and Insta reels are being uploaded.

This, I fear is a set up to derail the Gorkha ST demands, and once again people are falling for it. Just like how 2017 Andolan was instigated to replace Bimal Gurung by instigating people through Bengali language impositiong drama, this entire episode is being instigated to derail re-inclusion of 11 Gorkha sub-tribes.

In Manipur, the initial outrage against Manipur HC order to initiate ST Status for Meities was mostly peaceful. But for some reason, it became violent with no intervention from the Central Government. After hundreds of lives have been lost, now the Central Govt has intervened in the form of a President’s Rule and violence is ebbing.

But amidst all this, what is truly and spectacularly dead is the Meiti community demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

If there is communal strife in our region, it will, in all likelihood, give the Central Government an additional excuse to deny the remaining sub-tribes ST status, as Center will show “law and order problem” due to the demand.

I am therefore requesting all sub-tribes, please don’t get involved in this manufactured tensions and strife. The chances that those instigating you are working for the powers that be, or for money to foster communal strife and tension is very high.

We are one people, we share one history, one heritage and one geography. We intermarry, we live together and eat together – this is our culture and this is who we are. Hate is foreign to us, don’t let this foreign entity destroy our unity.

No matter how angry you are, don’t play into the hands that are deliberately trying to rock the boat. Instead use them to hold the sail steady, stay united and ignore agent provocateurs – let law take its course. Don’t react to provocations, no matter how tempted you are. Your public display of outrage will be used against you to deny Gorkhas justice.

Don’t let them use our anger to justify their inaction.

The post Scheduled Tribe Re-Inclusion Will Be Jeopardized appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

In the past 12-years, like a little kid growing up, we have seen Darjeeling Chronicle – the platform you all have cared for, shared, criticized, scolded, but above all loved – GROW.

As TheDC platform enters its teenage years, we take pride in the fact that today, thanks to your love and support, it has become the platform we had hoped it would become – the carrier of Gorkha voices.

We thank all the readers who have been with us since our journey began. We thank all those who have associated with us – helped us grow – those who have contributed articles, poems, stories, news, views, criticisms, complaints and even missing people’s reports. Those who have helped design our websites, to those who volunteered to make our graphics and edit videos. TheDC is a labour of love, and all associated with it have contributed to the platform voluntarily – this is why we can afford to be so fiercely independent.

It is said that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. So here’s our tip of the hat to those, who have hated TheDC platform and what it stands for. Because even in not liking us or what we post, you, through your criticisms, let us know that you care.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude and a special note of thanks to three amazing lawyers, who have protected us against the tyranny of law – Senior Adv. Anand Bhandari Sir, Adv. Roshni Rai, and Adv. Mayank Bhandari. It is because of them, we have been able to report without fear. Though we haven’t reported it, but multiple frivolous cases have been filed against us, and it is only because of them, we have been able to fight those cases in the courts. We are also grateful to Adv Yogesh Diyali and Adv Samundra M Pradhan for helping us out in our times of need.

To our core team members – you guys are the rock, which allows TheDC platform to stand tall.

Most important of all, WE THANK YOU – our dear readers, who have stood with us, supported us and trusted us.

It is your love and our love for Darjeeling that keeps us going.

“In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.” – from Invictus

Jai Gorkha, Jai Gorkhaland.

The post TheDC ANNIVERSARY: WE ARE ENTERING OUR TEENS… appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.