This therefore brings to us the question- is the absence or presence of GJM and Bimal Gurung and the numerous ‘absconding’ youths concomitant to the demand of Gorkhaland. It is time we think, reflect and be more reflexive. The voice demanding Gorkhaland has been systematically silenced with the assistance received from certain section of our society. The people who still believe in our goal are being ridiculed in all sphere of our everyday existence and are also subjected to atrocities from the police. Our region has become one where threat and intimidation has become a new normal. GNLF has gone back to its deceptive ways of doing politics. They are pushing the demand of sixth Schedule from the back door. They could have taken forward the demand of Gorkhaland but they choose to settle their political scores to the extent of one of its leaders saying that they will not allow Bimal Gurung to return to the hills. This is the political state of affairs that we are witnessing today. Had they chosen to lend their voice to the aspiration of the people their past misdeed- of completely dropping the demand of Gorkhaland-would probably have been forgiven and more importantly they could have emerged as a strong alternative to GJM. But their acute lack of political statesmanship was visible when their leaders said that PhD were available in the narrow lanes of Kadamtala. This statement only made him look like a fool rather than a leader. CPRM though sincere (I sincerely hope they are) does not enjoy the resources needed to lead a movement. They do not have people with them. Others are there only for the namesake.  

BJP on the other hand does not seem to be very serious regarding the promises it had made to GJM on its sankalpatra. Till now nothing points to the fact that they will sympathetically consider the long pending demands of people of Darjeeling hills, Tarai and Dooars.  Otherwise the President of Darjeeling District BJP would not have declared that they will field their own candidates for the three Legislative Assembly seats of Darjeeling. Are we therefore on the cusp of losing Gorkhaland, if not then who is demanding and fighting for it?

This situation brings us to the point do we need Bimal Gurung back in the hills? The local media houses have in their own unique manner and ways already put the last nail in the coffin. They have delivered their verdict. They are only engaging in cultural reproduction. No one expects objectivity from the individual journalists but yes it is expected in the ways and manners they collect news, but they seem to have their own predicaments to analyse and broadcast true and objective news.

The demand for Gorkhaland, whether one agrees or not- I think, hinges on the Bimal Gurung. If the demand is to be sustained (there is no guarantee of its achievement) he has to come to the hills and do  politics. He stills enjoys support from the majority of the people. All those who have ‘absconded’ have sacrificed a lot. Some have not been able to light the pyre of their mothers and fathers. They have not been able attend their sick mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. They have not had the opportunity to be with their families. Everything they had has been seized by the state. What more do they need to sacrifice to show their loyalty and honesty towards the movement and demand. They deserve to be back among their people, their loved ones and do politics. People should respect their sacrifices and welcome them to resurrect our movement. Bimal’s absence and the lack of agency among the others have made it clear that he symbolises Gorkhaland and should return to the hills as soon as possible and keep alive the hopes of millions of Gorkhas.

You can read the author’s blog here.

The post Where is Gorkhaland? Who is Fighting for it? appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

His assertion comes in the face of claims by main political parties in the region – the BJP and the TMC – that the statehood demand is not a political issue in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The issue this time is development, the spokesmen of the parties had said.

Speaking to PTI from an undisclosed place in Darjeeling, Gurung said on Wednesday,

“We see every election as a step towards reaching our goal (of statehood). This election is very important as it will send a resounding message to the rest of the country that the people of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars areas have not given up their demand for a Gorkhaland state.”

Gurung, one time close aide of late GNLF chief Subash Ghising, said the coming election is a fight between the West Bengal government’s “dictatorship” and the will of the people to stand up against it.

“This election is about standing up and saying we are not scared. Winning this election will take us one step closer towards realising our dreams,” the GJM leader, who went into hiding after the June 2017 clashes in Darjeeling, said.

He rubbished projections that the upcoming election in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat would be a fight between two factions of the GJM, one led by him which is supporting BJP candidate Raju Bista and the Binay Tamang faction which is supporting TMC candidate Amar Rai.

Polling for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat will be held on April 18. Unlike the Tamang faction, Gurung said though his faction is supporting Bista it has no complaints against the current BJP MP S S Ahluwalia.

Darjeeling had witnessed a 104-day-long strike in 2017 for the statehood demand and several people including police personnel were killed, which forced Gurung to flee the Hills. He has been on the run since then.

Ahluwalia, he said, had worked honestly and sincerely towards raising the GJM’s concerns and issues at the national level. But the people were irked with his “absence” from Darjeeling during the 2017 Gorkhaland agitation and complained about it.

“Most people, we spoke to, were not willing to vote for him. So we talked to Ahluwalia and he volunteered to withdraw himself from consideration for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat,” Gurung said.

He said, the claims by the West Bengal government of developing the Darjeeling Hill area is “laughable”.

“We have a saying in Nepali – ‘bahira rumaley, bhitra gundruk umaley – those who cannot feed themselves are talking about organising picnic for others,” Gurung said to explain his point.

Asked to comment on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s oft-repeated claims that the ‘Hills were smiling’ and peace and development have seen a new dimension in the area, the GJM leader, who once had shared a cordial relationship with the TMC supremo, said the smile was only “mockery and scorn”.

“Peace in the hills today is akin to the peace of the graveyard. In fact corruption, intimidation, threats, curtailing of democratic and constitutional rights and making a mockery of the judicial system has increased in Darjeeling than in rest of the state. What has developed in Darjeeling is the suppression and oppression of peoples’ sentiments,” Gurung alleged.

It is not only the electorate in Darjeeling, but also of neighbouring Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituencies who are against the ruling TMC, he alleged.

Exuding confidence that Bista would win from Darjeeling LS seat, Gurung derided the Tamang faction, calling it ‘Trinamool Congress Binoy Team’ and said it is not GJM.

He said Bista with his background in management and experience would be able to generate the national consensus needed for the separate state of Gorkhaland. On joining hands with long-time political rival Gorkha National Liberation Front for the parliamentary elections, Gurung said the alliance “was strongly desired by the people in the region”.

“We had been receiving requests and suggestions from our cadres and general public that our two parties must join hands and work together. We joined hands as we realised that no one can defeat us if we are united,” he said.

Exuding confidence that “our candidate will win with a convincing margin,” he asserted, “I am still the GJM president.”

Asked about his plans to campaign from hiding, Gurung said, “I don’t need to campaign in person. The people here are emotionally connected with me because I have not sold out. Nor have I given up on our collective aspirations.

“Over 70 per cent of the people in the region still support me and what we stand for. This is the West Bengal government’s internal report. Our election slogan is simple “Ballot for Bullet“.

Criticising the state government for its “rampant abuse” of police machinery and other administrative offices, he said the faction headed by him will be asking for votes against “oppression and suppression” of democratic and constitutional rights.

The strike in the Darjeeling Hills in 2017 had led to a split in the GJM, with Binay Tamang, his deputy, taking over the reins. Gurung and his loyalists were expelled from the party. Tamang then established himself as the defacto leader of the Hills with the help of the ruling TMC.

[Via: PTI]

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Amid series of meetings with the opposition parties in the hills to hammer out a deal of consensus candidate who would contest the Lok Sabha election in the Darjeeling seat, GJM ( Bimal faction) and GNLF have decided to join hands for what they call a greater cause for the Gorkhas and of the other communities of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars.

In a message sent in the Morcha camp’s social media group fugitive Morcha leader Roshan Giri said the two parties will held a joint press briefing in this regard on 19th March. He however did not specify the place where the briefing would be held.

Sources in the know, however said GNLF president Mann Ghisingh met Morcha leaders today and stuck a deal to fight the up coming Lok Sabha election together. GNLF leaders in Darjeeling confirmed the development late night.

We have decided to come together forgetting past differences for the greater interest of the communities in the hills the plains and the Dooars said GNLF steering committee member Ajoy Edward.

This is the first time after the 2007 Gorkhaland Andolan, that GNLF and GJM have come together.

With inputs from GJYM

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Times of India has reported that Binay Tamang-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Trinamool Congress are going to field a common candidate for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency.

Tamang left for Kolkata on Monday to make a joint announcement of the candidate with Trinamool chief and CM Mamata Banerjee.

The Tamang-led GJM has also moved the high court to remove the names of former GJM president Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri from the party after these were found to be recorded with the Election Commission still. As a result, Tamang’s GJM is unable to use the party symbol registered with the poll panel.

Justice Debangsu Basak on Monday directed the panel to address the issue and pass a reasoned order within two weeks.

Trinamool (Hills) observer Rajen Mukhia feels the ‘jote’ candidate will have an edge over BJP in both the Hills and the plains in Siliguri. The move will prevent a repeat of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in Darjeeling when GJM-supported BJP polled most votes of Hills people.

However, Hills party activists are keeping their fingers crossed since Banerjee is yet to earn the confidence of a sizeable section of Gorkhas. “The Lok Sabha elections will bear out how far this is true. It will also be an acid test for Binay Tamang, who was termed a betrayer by Hills people at one point of time. It all depends on the candidate,” an influential GJM leader said.

The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) named its candidate on Sunday. BJP, with support from the Bimal Gurung faction, is yet to announce its candidate for Darjeeling.

The post Trinmool-BT to Field Common Candidate in Darjeeling appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Here is the full press release:

“Today the GJM observed  Balidhan Diwas throughout the hills, Terai and Dooars, the youth front of the party organised blood donation camps in remembrance of the 3 people who died for Gorkhaland in 2011 in Sibchu.
But today the entire Gorkha community feels let down by the BJP as Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister didn’t make a single comment on the Gorkhas and Gorkhaland in Mainaguri which 1 hour away from Sibchu. 

The Prime Minister who had come to Madarihat in 2016 had promised that 11 Gorkha communities will be give ST status but till date there has been no positive result regarding this and there is no sign of this bill coming in the budget session which will get over by next week. 

Ahead of 2014 general elections, BJP had in their election manifesto that they would consider “the long pending demand of the Gorkhas”. PM Modi delivered his speech in Siliguri on April 2014 and one famous line of his speech among the Gorkhas was – “Gorkha ka Sapna, Mera Sapna”. This assurance had indeed made Gorkhas believe that this person if elected to the highest office would definitely fulfil the only dream of Gorkhas- a Gorkha state but sadly this is the biggest mistake that the Gorkhas have made and we have to give a befitting reply to the BJP in the upcoming elections.

Anit Thapa
General Secretary
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (BT Faction)

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बिगत दस बर्षदेखि सम्भावित गोर्खाल्याण्ड राज्य क्षेत्रबाट हामीले दिलोज्यानले भारतीय जनता पार्टी (बिजेपी) लाई सघाउदै दुई-दुई चोटि लोकसभा उम्मेदवारलाई जिताएर पठाएका हौ। यसको मुख्य कारण बिजेपी देशमा ससाना राज्य निर्माणका पक्षधर हुनु हो अनि हाम्रो क्षेत्रको मुल मुद्दा नै गोर्खाल्याण्ड राज्य निर्माण हो। २००९ को लोकसभा चुनावमा बिजेपीको उम्मेद्वार श्री जसवन्त सिंहलाई भारी मतले जिताएर पठायौ तर बिजेपी सत्तामा आउन सकेन अनि हाम्रो माङ्गले पनि गति पक्रेन। तेसपछी फेरि २०१४ को लोकसभा चुनावमा वर्तमान प्रधानमन्त्री श्री नरेद्र मोदीले स्वयं “गोर्खावोका सपना मेरा सपना” भनेर भाषण छाटेपछी हामी मक्ख पर्दै फेरि श्री एस एस आलुवालियालाई बिपुल मतले जिताएर पठायौ।

अनि जब आलुवालियाजी हाम्रो गोर्खाल्याण्डको मागलाई लिएर दिल्ली तर्फ हानिए, भारतीय गोर्खालीहरुको आङ्गमा सुनौलो घाम लाग्ने रहेछ भनेर सबैले अनुमान लाए तर अहिले फेरि पाँच बर्षपछि अर्को लोकसभा चुनाव आउनलाग्दा सम्म पनि बिजेपीले हामीलाई जनजातीको मुद्दामा नै यताउता घुमाइरहेको कर्तुत चै दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण र खेलाइची चालखेल लाग्यो। राज्य सत्ता, काग्रेस पक्क्ष अनि अन्य दलहरु हाम्रो माङ छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड को हिमायती नभएको हुँदा बिजेपी मात्र हाम्रो अन्तिम उपाय अनि सहारा थियो तर बिजेपीले हाम्रोनिम्ती केही नगरी हाम्रो परिस्थितिको नाजायज फाइदा उठाए।

बितेका दस बर्षदेखि अहिलेसम्म छुट्टै राज्यको विषयमा चु-सम्म नगर्ने बिजेपीले २०१७ को भाषा अतिक्रमणबाट शुरु भएर छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलनतिर लम्किएको आन्दोलन दबाउन राज्य सत्ताले गरेको क्रूर अत्याचार र अनैतिक दमननितीको विरुद्ध कुनै ठोस कदम नउठाएको देख्दा हामीले दिएको एउटा “एमपी” त “नाथे” भनेर हेल्चेक्राइ गरेको जस्तो अनुभव भयो। कतै नभएको हेबिवेट नेता आलुवालिया जीको सासदीय क्षेत्रमा देशको स्वाभिमानी अनि परोपकारी गोर्खाहरुलाई इतिहासले नदेखेको अत्याचार भयो अनि बृहत रुपमा मानव अधिकारको हनन भयो तर हाम्रा नेताजी एति हेबिवेट भए कि जुरुक्क उठेर आफ्नो सासदीय क्षेत्रसम्म पनि आउन सकेनन्। गोर्खाहरुको सपनाको उडान भर्न हिडेका आलुवालियाजी आफै चै उडेर केन्द्रिय मन्त्री बने तर हाम्रो सपनाले बाटो बिराए।

हाम्रो छुट्टै राज्यको मुद्दा गम्भीर भएको कारण यतिका बर्ष हामी पनि बिचलित नबनी केन्द्र सत्ताको सहायक बन्यौ र अझै पनि केही हदसम्म समर्थन जारी छ तर यसपालि पनि हाम्रो मुद्दामाथी गम्भीर दृष्टिकोण नराखे सम्पुर्ण भारतभरी छरिएर बसेका गोर्खालीहरुले बिजेपीलाई ब्यालेट बक्समा दर्हिलो झापट कस्नेछ किनभने हाम्रो जाति लाटा-सोझा भए पनि भेडा जस्तो एकोहोरो चै कदापि हुनेछैनौ। यदि यसपालि पनि भाजपाले दार्जिलिङको लोकसभा आसनमा आफ्नो उम्मेदवारले जितेको हेर्न चाहान्छन भने भोट अगाडिनै एघार जनजातीको मुद्दालाई पार तारे बापत “छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड” माथी बिशेश वहस गर्दै भावी कार्यक्रमको रोड्म्याप तैयार गरेर जनतासमक्ष राखेको हुनुपर्छ नत्र जनताले नकार्ने मात्र हैन उम्मेदवारको जमानी जफ्त हुने प्रबल छाटकाट छ।

हुनपनि जुन प्रकारले केन्द्र सरकार र यसका हिमायती हरुले हामी गोर्खालीहरुलाई कठपुतली सरह ब्यवहार गरिरहेका छन्- यो अति नै अशोभनीय र निन्दनीय छ। केन्द्र सरकार र यसका भारादारहरुले जुन वचनहरु हामीलाई दिएका थिए, कहिले पूरा गरेनन् बरु जनतालाई पत्करमा सुताउने काम भयो। यसरी दिएको वचनहरुमा मक्ख परेर थाङ्गनामा सुत्ने जनताहरुमा प्रत्यक्ष रुपमा म पनि एकजना हु किनभने बिगतका एक बर्षमा दुइचोटी क्षेत्रीय सासद, केन्द्रबाट आएका सासद जर्ज बेकर जि, महिला आयोग अध्यक्षा श्रीमती रेखा शर्मा लाई दुइचोटी लगायत विभिन्न ओहोदामा रहेका महानुभावहरुको मीठो जोताइमा पर्ने ब्यक्तिहरुमध्ये म पनि एकजना परे।

यी ब्याक्तित्वहरु मध्ये श्रीमती रेखा शर्मा म्याडमले चै आफ्नो कार्यलाई गम्भीरताको साथ अघि बढाएकी हुन् जसको उदाहरण जुन दिन वहाँ दार्जिलिङमा भ्रमणमा आएकी थिइ त्यसैदिनदेखी केही पाठशालामा राखिएको पुलिसकर्मीहरु हटाइएको थियो अनि प्रशासनको केरकार भएको थियो र अझै जारी छ। तर अरु केन्द्रिय सहकर्मीहरुबाट सहयोग नपाउदा वहाँको कार्यहरु सठिक रुपान्तर हुनसकेन जस्तो मलाई लाग्छ। वहाँ समक्ष “पुलिस एट्रोसिटिस” अनि “मानव अधिकार हनन“-को जुन मुद्दाहरु राखिएका थिए- कुनै बैतर्णी तरेको छैन। अर्कोतिर आलुवालिया ज्युलाई जनजातीको मुद्दा, आन्दोलनमा जेलबन्दी भएकाहरुको निम्ति भाजपाको तर्फबाट सहायताको निम्ति कानुनी दलको माग अनि लोकसभा सत्रमा “गोर्खाल्याण्ड”को आवाज उठाउनुपर्ने जस्ता मागहरु तेर्साएका थियौ जो मलाई लाग्छ साब’ले बागडोग्रा नपुगी बिर्सेछन् क्या’रे। माइनोरिटी प्रकोष्ठका एमपी बेकर जी लाई पनि यहि मुद्दाहरु अवगत गराएका थियौं तर वहाँबाट पनि कुनै सेवा उपलब्ध भएन। राज्यको अरु पोर्ट्फोलियोहरु पनि भेटियो तर नभेटेझै।

यी सबै कुरा निर्क्यौल गर्दा मैले आफैलाई दिउँसै ठगिएको महसुस गरेको छु। एउटाले थाङ्गनामा सुताए अनि अर्कोले बोरामा हाले- तब त अहिले जनता जागरुक बनेको छ। मात्र आश्वासनको राजनीतिलाई लत्कार्न जनता अब तैयार छन्। सिधै भन्नू हो भने यदि केन्द्रले भारतीय गोर्खालीभित्र पर्ने ११ जातगोष्ठी जनजातीको दर्जा मात्र हैन “छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड” को मुद्दालाई लिखित रुपमा चुनावी मेनिफेस्टो मा नहालेसम्म दार्जीलिङको लोकसभा आसनबाट भाजपाले आफ्नो उम्मेदवार नदिएकै बेस- नत्र औंलामा गन्ती गर्नेसक्ने भन्दा धेर भोट हात पर्नेछैन। सर्त लगाउदा हुन्छ भक्तहरु!!!

लेखक: सिसिल तामाङ

The post भाजपा भक्तहरु लाई सानो सुझाव! appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Here is a full press release issued by Bishal Chettri, Vice-President of the GJM (Bimal) group.

“Today a high level team led by Darjeeling MP and Minister of State for Electronics and IT Shri. SS Ahluwalia, GJM members Shri. Bishal Chettri, Shri. Anil Lopchan, Shri. Rohit Thapa, and Gorkha history expert Shri. BP Bajgain, Members of Himalayan Forest Villagers Organization representatives Shri. Lila Kumar Gurung and Shri. Lal Sing Bhujel met with the Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram to press for the introduction of a Bill calling for the inclusion of 11 left out Gorkha sub-tribes – Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami, Yakkha and Dhimal as the Schedule Tribes of India, in the upcoming winter session of the Parliament.

The Honourable Minister for Tribal Affairs Mr. Jual Oram has in turn, informed the delegation today that the Home Minister of India Shri Rajnath Singh has already called him for a meeting to discuss this issue tomorrow 10th of October, at 3 PM. He further assured the delegates that he will be doing his best to introduce a bill to include the 11 left out Gorkha sub-tribes under the ST status in India.

The team, led by Shri SS Ahluwalia informed the Minister Shri. Oram, how from 1931 the entire Gorkha community living in India were regarded as “Hill Tribes,” however when the West Bengal Alienation of Land (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1954, better known as the “Absorbed Areas Act” was implemented and Bengal occupied the Darjeeling, Kalimpong Terai, and Dooars, the “Hill Tribe” status of the Gorkhas was conveniently quashed.

The delebation reminded the Tribal affairs Minister that despite 71 years of independence, 11 sub-tribes communities have been suffering from the “injustice of recognition”, which has not only marginalized the Gorkhas socially, economically and politically but has continued to deprive our community of the basic dignity to live the kind of lives that they value living. The non-recognition of the distinct and unparalleled historical, cultural and traditional backgrounds of these diverse ethnic Gorkhas, particularly in the Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayan regions of India, and in Dooars and Terai region of West Bengal, and different parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Garwal and Kumaon hills, Assam and other NE states and Bengal amounts to denying their very existence in the first place and thereby perpetuated the historic injustice.

The delegation informed the Minister how the Govt of India had formed multiple committees to examine the issue, and how the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had himself assured the Gorkhas that the government has already started the work towards addressing this historic injustice, back on April 7 2016 itself.

The Honourable MP Shri SS Ahluwalia informed the Tribal Affairs Minister that on October 5, 2018, following instructions from the Prime Minister, the Union Home Secretary met with a team of Gorkha representatives to discuss the Gorkha aspirations for a separate state, and other issues that incorporated inclusion of the 11 Gorkha sub-tribes as ST, and the administrative oppression the Gorkhas are currently facing under the West Bengal government.

After discussing these issues in detail, the Honourable Minister for Tribal Affairs Mr. Jual Oram shared his solidarity with the Gorkha community, and in turn informed the delegation today that the Home Minister of India Shri Rajnath Singh has already called him for a meeting to discuss this issue tomorrow 10th of October, at 3 PM. He further assured the delegates that he will be doing his best to introduce a bill to include the 11 left out Gorkha sub-tribes under the ST status in India in the upcoming winter session of the Parliament.”

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२०१७ को दार्जिलिङ अान्दोलन धेरै दृष्टिकोणमा चक्षु उन्मीलक(अाँखा खोल्ने) एउटा घटना भएको छ। अान्दोलन क्रमको १०४ दिनको बन्दले समेत अपेक्षा गरिएको कुनै प्रतिफल अौ उपलब्धि हासिल नगरेता पनि हामीभित्रको दानविय प्रवृत्तिले हाम्रो कमजोरीपन,एक अर्काप्रतिको बिशावस्नियतामा असमर्थता अनि लोकतन्त्र जस्तो संस्थानको अनादर भएको कुरो उजागर भएको छ।

यो अान्दोलन जनता,नेताहरू अनि नागरिक समाज र संस्थाहरूलाई एक अर्काप्रति बदनाम गर्ने अौ अा-अाफ्नो फाइदाको लागि परिस्थितिको अनुचित लाभ उठाउने एउटा खुला मैदान भयो।

अान्दोलन ताका पुलिस गोलीकाण्ड अनि प्रदर्शनकारीहरूको मृत्यु पश्चात् इन्टरनेट र संचार माध्यम बन्द गर्दै दार्जिलिङलाई वास्तवमै संसारको सम्पर्कबाट बञ्चित गरिएको थियो।

प्रशासनले पहाडभरि हजारौको संख्यामा अर्ध सैनिक बल तैनाथ गर्दै बलजफ्ति सडक प्रदर्शनकारीहरूलाई बिरोध प्रदर्शन गर्नबाट रोकेका थिए।प्रशासनले भावनात्मक रूपमा अावेशित गोर्खाल्याण्ड समर्थकहरू प्रति संदिग्ध कार्वाही गर्दै दार्जिलिङ पहाडलाई एउटा टाईम बम सरह जो कुनै पनि समय बिस्फोट हुन सक्ने तुल्याउँदै १९८६ को हिंस्रक गोर्खाल्याण्ड अान्दोलनको स्मरण ताजा गराएका थिए।

“२०१७ को गोर्खाल्याण्ड अान्दोलन दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण रूपले भनौं अथवा अरू कुनै कारणले तर यो एक “Gorkhaland Got Leaders” को अडिसन जस्तो थियो जसमा हरेक ब्यक्ति र संस्थाहरूले प्रतियोगिता जित्नलाई अाफ्नो दाउ लगाएका थिए।

ठुलो बिडम्बनाको कुरो अान्दोलनका ध्वजधारकहरूले पहाड त्याग्दै अान्दोलनको उपरिकेन्द्र दिल्लीमा सारे।” एक बुद्धिजीवीले (पुलिस उत्पीडनको डरले नाम नखुलाउने बिन्ती गर्दै) समीक्षा गरे। त्यसैले दिल्लीको बिरोध प्रदर्शन बंगाल सरकारको बचाउमा खडा भयो जसले गर्दा गोर्खाल्याण्ड अान्दोलन सरकार केन्द्रित हुन सकेन अथवा बंगाल सरकारलाई यसको अनदेखा गर्न सजिलो भयो।” बुद्धिजीवीले थपे।

यधपि पहाडको लडाई क्षेत्र दार्जिलिङ देखि टाढा बंगाल सरकारको बिरूद्धमा बोल्न नसक्ने हाम्रा डरछेरूवा नेताहरूलाई दिल्ली एउटा सुरक्षित अाश्रय भयो।वास्तवमा हाम्रा नेताहरूलाई अाफ्नो कसुर पखाल्न दिल्ली एउटा उचित तिर्थस्थल भयो भन्दा अत्युक्ति नहोला जसले अाफ्नो सम्बन्ध बडाउने अथवा फैलाउने भरमग्धुर मौका पाए।यसै अान्दोलनको प्रासंगिकतामा नेताहरूले अाफ्नो ब्याख्यान विधा तिखार्दै उच्चस्तरीय भाषण छाँट्न थाले।

नेताहरूको दिल्लीको क्रियाकलाप देखेर पहाडका अशिक्षित अौ सिधासाधा जनताले गोर्खाल्याण्ड मुद्दाले राष्ट्रको ध्यानाकर्षण गर्दै राष्ट्रिय संवादको बिषय बनेको कुरोमा बिशवास गरे र केन्द्र सरकार चाँडै गोर्खाहरूको उद्धारको निम्ति खडा हुनेछ भनेर गोर्खाल्याण्ड प्राप्तिको प्रबल सम्भावनाको झुठो अाशामा सपना देख्न थाले।

दिल्लीमा गोर्खाल्याण्डको मानचित्र र परिकल्पना (जुन वास्तवमा दार्जिलिङमा हुनु पर्ने अत्ति अावश्यकताको बिषय थियो)बारे बृहत चर्चा अथवा संवाद भईरहहेको थियो तर यता पहाडमा भने बन्दको चर्को मारमाझ खाध्यसामाग्रीको अभावले मर्नु न बाँच्नुको जीवन बाँच्न बाध्य थिए।

दिल्लीका शिक्षित,अत्याधुनिक अनि संचारमा ब्यवहारिक ज्ञान भएका गोर्खे जमातलाई गोर्खाल्याण्ड मुद्दामा अब केही त गर्नै पर्छ भन्ने अाभास भए बमोजिम साझा मांगलाई अगुवाइ गर्न हेतु रातारात समितिहरूको गठन गर्न थाले।सो जमातलाई पक्राउ पर्नु पर्ने, भोकै बस्नु पर्ने र पुलिसको गोली खानु पर्ने कुनै डर थिएन। बिना हिचकिचाहट कसैलाई पनि सराप्दै, गाली गर्दै गोर्खाल्याण्डको प्रवचन सुनाउन सहज अायोजक समितिले हप्ताको छुट्टी पारेर सबैलाई सहज होस् भन्ने हेतु भटाभट् सुब्यवस्थित ढंगमा कार्यक्रम र क्रियाकलापहरूको अायोजना गरे।

तर ब्यक्तिगत र राजनीतिक पक्षपातमा अाधारित दिल्लीको कार्यप्रणालीले भयानक रूपधारण लिँदै असमझदारी र कोलाहलको केन्द्रबिन्दु भयो भन्दा अनुचित नहोला।

कुनै पक्राउ पर्ने धम्की बिना अनि कुनै राजनीतिक निशाना हुनु पर्ने डर बिना दिल्लीका प्रदर्शनकारी जमातले दार्जिलिङमा भन्दा धेरै हल्ला मचायो जो एउटा बिन्दुमा उभिएर एक प्रबल दावेदारको रूपमा अान्दोलनको नामगरी शर्तमा हुकुम चलाउन थाले।वहाँहरूले कुर्सीको अारक्षणको मोल भाव देखि लिएर प्रमाण पत्र वितरण अनि पहाडको राजनीतिक नेतृत्वको स्वीकृति भनौ चौतर्फी फाइदामा अाँखा गाडेर स्वर्थको राजनीति गरी रहेको कुरो सोह्रै अाना साँचो हो भन्दा दुईमत नहोला।यतिसम्म कि वहाँहरूले ती सब अान्दोलनग्रस्त भूमि पहाडमा एक पाईला नसारी अौ प्रत्यक्ष अनुभव नगरीकनै गरे।

त्यस् पश्चात बुद्धिजीवी अौ प्रतिष्ठित ब्यक्तित्वहरूले सित्तैमा सुझाव र सेवा प्रदान गर्दै दिल्लीको बिरोध प्रदर्शनमा भाग लिए।तिनै बुद्धिजीवीहरूले पछि गएर अाफूहरूकै निम्ति “प्रतिष्ठित संगठन” (Eminent Organization)को गठन गरे।

दिल्लीले कसरी अपरिवर्तनिय गल्ती गरे?

स्मरण रहोस गोर्खाल्याण्ड अान्दोलन चरम सीमामा पुग्दा ताका पहाडका गोर्खा समुदायका बुद्धिजीवीहरू,विभिन्न राजनीतिक पार्टीहरूद्वारा “गोर्खाल्याण्ड अान्दोलन समन्वय समिति”(GORKHALAND MOVEMENT COORDINATION COMMITTEE-GMCC) गठन गरेका थिए।प्रतिष्ठित बुद्धिजीवीहरू सामेल रहेका यही प्रबुद्ध मंडलले(Think Tank) बृहत रूपमा जन समर्थन पाएका थिए।त्यसैले गर्दा सबै जीएमसीसीमा सामेल हुन चाहान्थे।
त्यसै अन्तर्गत बिश्वासको मापको बिकाश र जन समर्थन एकत्रित गर्न हेतु दिल्लीवासी गोर्खाहरूको बिभिन्न समुहले जीएमसीसीलाई दिल्लीमा जनसभाको अायोजना गर्नु पर्ने कुरोमा दबाव दिएका थिए।तर जीएमसीसीमा सामेल हुन निमन्त्रणा नपाएका मानिस अौ संस्थाहरूले पर्दा पछाडि समितिलाई बाधा पुर्याउने र तोड्ने खतरनाक योजना बनाएका थिए।

“म पनि खाँदिन,तँलाई पनि खानु दिँदिन” भने जस्तो जीएमसीसीद्वारा अायोजित सभामा सदस्यहरू माथि गुप्तरूपमा गरिएको हमला नै बिनाशको अन्तिम कारण बनेको थियो।

त्यस् घटनाको केहि दिन पछि लगत्तै तिनै जीएमसीसीका सदस्यहरू जसले जीएमसीसीको अगुवाई गरेका थिए फेरि अर्को समितिको गठन गरे। समितिको नाम “प्रतिष्ठित गोर्खा ब्यक्तित्वहरूको समुह”(Eminent Gorkha Personalities Group) राखियो जसले अान्दोलन पछिका दिनहरूमा भनौ अहिले अाफ्नो प्रासंगिकता तथा अस्तित्व जमाउने संघर्ष गरीरहेका छन् र “गोर्खाल्याण्ड परिकल्पनाको दस्तावेज” (VISION DOCUMENT FOR GORKHALAND) नाम दिएर दस्तावेज कोरिरहेका छन्। तर अाश्चर्यको कुरा के छ भने यही समितीले बंगाल सरकारको गोर्खाहरूप्रतिको क्रुरता र अमानविय ब्यवहारको खण्डन गर्दै एउटा बयान सम्म दिएका छैन।त्यति मात्र हैन बंगालले पहाडमाथि गरिएको मनपरि शाषण बमोजिम स्थापित गरिएको हालको प्रशासन GTA 2 माथि कुनै टिप्पणी नगरीकन सत्यनिष्ठापूर्वक मौन धारण गरे।

निष्कर्षमा प्रमुख तथ्य भन्नु पर्दा दार्जिलिङका जनताको अाफ्नै भूमिमा राजनीतिक कुनै भूमिका नरहेको दुखलाग्दो अनुभूति गर्न सकिन्छ। पटकथा दिल्ली र कलकत्तामा लेखेर त्यसको नमूना मात्र दार्जिलिङ पहाडका स्वघोषित नेतृत्वगणको हातमा थमाएर कुन कुरो गर्नु पर्ने अनि बिशेष कुन कुरो नगर्नु पर्ने जस्ता कडा नियमको पालन गर्नु पर्ने निर्देशन उतैबाट अाउने कुरो स्पष्ट रूपमा बुझ्न सकिन्छ।

त्यति मात्र नभएर क्षेत्रिय प्रशासनले सानो राजनीतिक कुरो दिल्ली र कलकत्तालाई नै सोध्नु पर्ने पहाडको राजनीतिक नेतृत्वलाई बाध्य तुल्याएको कुरो बुझिन्छ।

वास्तवमा लोकतन्त्रको अवधारणा अनुसार सरकार जनताद्वारा जनताको निम्ति बनाईएको जनताको सरकार हो।

यधपि ठुलो बिडम्बना,गोर्खाल्याण्ड अान्दोलन अनि मुद्धा गर्वको साथ संवैधानिक र लोकतान्त्रिक मानीलिएता पनि यसको सम्मान विरलै गरिएको पाईन्छ। फलस्वरूप तानाशाही राज्य सरकारले निर्वाचित प्रतिनिधिहरूलाई भाग्न बाध्य बनाए। जनताको अाकांक्षालाई क्रुरतापूर्वक बल प्रयोग गरेर कुल्चिमल्चि पारे।अनि अभिव्यक्तिको स्वतन्त्रतालाई केवल एउटा मजाक बनाए।

This article was originally posted in TheDC in English, same can be read here: http://thedarjeelingchronicle.com/darjeeling-unrest-2017-from-an-agitation-to-a-leadership-contest/

The post गोर्खाल्याण्ड अान्दोलन २०१७:अान्दोलन देखि नेतृत्व प्रतियोगिता सम्म appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

After the police firing and death of protestors, internet and media shutdown Darjeeling was virtually cut-off from the world. The administration forcefully took the protests off the streets, deploying thousands of para-military forces across the Hills.  With an emotionally charged public and a witch-hunt like a crackdown on Gorkhaland supporters by the administration, Darjeeling was a ticking bomb threatening to explode any time, bringing back the memories of the 1980s violent agitation.

A wise man (name withheld to avoid police persecution) from the Hills observed “call it unfortunate or otherwise, the 2017 agitation was like an audition for ‘Gorkhaland Got Leaders’ show with individuals and organizations staking their claim to the title. The bigger irony is when flag bearers of the movement abandoned Darjeeling, and the epicentre of the movement shifted to Delhi.”

“This is where Delhi protests came to the rescue of the Government” the wise man adds. “Delhi was too far for the West Bengal Government to even take it seriously.”

However, for the Hills political leaders who were too timid and afraid to speak against the government back home, Delhi offered a safe sanctuary. Here, away from the killing fields of Darjeeling.  Delhi became the pilgrimage for all Hill leaders to wash their guilt. It offered them a chance to establish a connection and find relevance to the movement, and they came prepared with the Gorkhaland rhetoric and lofty speeches.

As always, the ignorant and gullible public of Darjeeling believed that the activities in Delhi were a proof that Gorkhaland has become a national discourse and the Central Government would have to come to their rescue sooner or later. It gave a false hope that Gorkhaland could now be a possibility. Roadmaps and vision for Gorkhaland were being discussed in Delhi, while in Darjeeling Hills where it actually mattered, people were still cut-off and were now fighting for survival amidst a total shutdown and food scarcity.

For the ‘educated, sophisticated, and the social-media savvy’ crowd of Delhi, the time had finally come to have a say. Overnight, Samitis and Committees were formed to spearhead the movement. In Delhi, you could speak for Gorkhaland, curse anyone, say anything, without having to worry about courting arrest, staying hungry, or getting shot in police firing. More importantly, organizers made sure to organize events and activities over the weekend to make it convenient for everyone to attend. It was very well organized.

But, the affairs in Delhi soon became monstrous with personal and political biases taking the center stage, rather than the issue of Gorkhaland. Without the threat of being arrested or being a political target, Delhi made much more noise than Darjeeling, to a point where the frontrunners of Delhi protests began to dictate terms on the course of the movement. They wanted a pie of everything, right from a seat reserved at the negotiation table to issuing certificates and approvals of the political leadership in the Hills. And they did so without even having to step a foot in Darjeeling or having a first-hand experience of the ground situation. Intellectuals and eminent personalities soon joined the protestors in Delhi, rendering their advice and services freely. The same intellectuals would later go on to form other ‘eminent organization’ for themselves is another matter.

So, where did Delhi go irrevocably wrong?

If you remember, there was an all-party Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC) formed during the peak of the agitation with members from different Hills political parties and intellectuals of the Gorkha community. The GMCC had a wide public support as a think-tank and everybody wanted to be part of GMCC.

As part of a trust-building measure and garnering support, different Delhi-based groups pressurized the GMCC to hold a meeting with the public in Delhi. However, behind the scene was a more sinister plan to disrupt and break the GMCC, by people and organizations who were not invited to be part of it.

An orchestrated assault on members during the GMCC meeting in Delhi was the final nail in the coffin. As the old adage goes “if I am not in it, I won’t let it be” proved true in this case. In a not-so-surprising move, just a few days after the incident, a committee was formed by with the tagline “Group of eminent Gorkha personalities” by members who were once spearheading the GMCC. Currently, the committee is struggling hard to find its relevance in a post-agitation phase and is last heard of preparing a ‘Vision Document for Gorkhaland.’ Strangely enough, the said committee has not even passed a single statement condemning the atrocities in Darjeeling, unwarranted arrests, or even the killings. They also observed solemn silence throughout the entire process of a new administration set up by the state government.

In Conclusion

The key takeaway this time has been the sad realization that the people of Darjeeling have no role in the politics of their land. The narrative is scripted outside of Darjeeling – in Delhi and Kolkata, and a template is handed over to the self-proclaimed political leadership, with strict rules on what to do and more importantly what not to do. Even the so-called local administrators have very little say in the politics of the land.

Democracy in theory roots for a ‘Government of the People, By the People, and For the People. As is the norm, the mandate of the majority public is integral to Democracy. However, the irony is that Gorkhaland, a movement that prides on being Constitutional and Democratic showed very little respect for it. Elected representatives were forced to flee the land, aspirations of the people trampled ruthlessly using brutal force, and the right to expression simply became a joke.

……..

Writes: Dinesh Sharma* Dinesh tweets under the handle @OyeKeta

NOTE: In context, Upendra had sounded an early warning bell against the same lot, you can read it here: https://facebook.com/TheDarjeelingChronicle/posts/899442646860184

The post Darjeeling Unrest 2017: From an agitation to a Leadership Contest appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

‘Ignorance is a bliss’ and the humiliating wash-out of our agitation for Gorkhaland, yet again, is a blot in our history which cannot be brushed aside, feigning ‘ignorance’ as our scapegoat. The same ignorance among hill TMC leaders and their supporters seems to have reached an all-time low level in as much as party’s low-profile ground works following the disreputable fall of agitation for three months. We read newspaper accounts of how baffled, disillusioned and ill-defined the ranks and file of hill TMC have been rendered vis-a-vis a tongue-tied and elusive game-plans of their leadership at Kolkata at the moment.

We will endeavour to pore deep into the psychology of all the party protagonists in the hills and their strategic maneuvers in view of a volatile predicament after the degradation of dominant stakeholder namely GJMM under outlawed Bimal Gurung and momentous circumstances in which Binay Tamang -Anit Thapa coterie sprang up occupying centre -stage. As the political atmosphere here is presently mercurial and fluid, it is surmised that the roles enacted by and the blueprint of each party is presumptive, subjective and not full-proof.

Trinamool

If a very successful pivotal role any party has initiated, first to stymie and then scuttle the agitation, it is the TMC or for that matter the astute brains behind the scene in artful collaboration with the GNLF.  GNLF’s  leader betrayed the trust of Gorkhas without any rationalization or clarification by writing to the CM beseeching for a talk for a truce (we will dwell more on GNLF in foregoing paragraphs). After the initial objective of derailing the hill churning and successfully bullying Gurung into exile, TMC cornered two Bimal sidekicks and loyalists to coax them into choosing between gold and dust. Gold signified safety, monetary largesse and state given honour, while dust meant incarceration and untold sufferings in the lock-up. Cunning wisdom prevailed. AT-BT naturally opted for the former, expectedly. The obstreperous rebellion then died an unnatural death. The mellowing call from the two sidekicks for peace and development, assisted with heavy-handed police action against anyone speaking for Gorkhaland, helped fizzle out feeble whimpers of protests. The thunder was swept under the carpet. The volta- face witnessed thereafter from our credulous people with their naivety was mythical and stupendous. The table was turned and fear of retribution kept everyone on their toes!

In this background, the surprising statements coming from hill TMC is baffling, either they are plain dumb not to see through the simple stratagem or they are a shade too adaptive to the slapstick comedy they are wont to, for they forget that the situation in the hills will remain uncertain as long as the absconding, illusive lone- ranger i.e. Gurung is not neutralized politically, judicially, administratively and mentally. But till the cases in Supreme Courts linger inconclusively, it will be perilous to coerce Gurung into pulverizing effect.

Bharatiya Janta Party

The saffron brigade with their rhetorical all inclusive polity sprang a surprise by clamming up during 104 days turmoil in the hills. Considered a close ally of GJMM, it chose to ignore and spurn desperate signals from Gurung to intervene. He pinned his ultimate hope on BJP of standing by his side during hours of crises, try rescue and salvage the deteriorating situation arising out of irrational, ill-conceived prolonged strike in the hills. But BJP remained non-committal all along. They presumably decided their best bet would be to clandestinely abet the worsening situation to aggravate to a point where Mamata didi and TMC would face flak from the people and give them sleepless nights. Gurung for all his nonchalance and political immaturity, failed to differentiate between a true ally and a mountebank adept in its shenanigans, dealing out false assurances. Gurung till the last moment hoped against hope that they would utter a single conciliatory sentence for him to withdraw strike forthwith. But alas the call never came! As a result, Gurung is still languishing in banishment and is uncommunicative.

Meanwhile, a change in the landscape catapulted two of his closest aides/sidekicks into celebrity positions by virtue of their vulnerability, shrewdness or sheer stroke of luck. The turn of events in their favour surprised both AT-BT immensely. Their ploy had paid off dividends! People lining up in support of rebel faction is a testimony to the level of ‘success’ or lack of it that they have garnered.

That brings us back to BJPs predicaments following humiliating heckling that their state-level leadership was subjected to by some section of hoodlums, who albeit their faces splashed across TV screens, was allegedly let off unpunished. Stunned with the eggs splattered on their faces, they are still smarting under the blow from unexpected quarters with two conundrums:

a) Whether to wait for Gurung to resurface after his exoneration to test his potential in regaining his lost realm, which at this stage appears improbable.
b) To condescend to bury the hatchet with the rebels and recognise their legitimacy in the current political, and administrative set-up cobbled up by WB govt. But that will amount to their endorsement of the state government policy in total contrast to their vehement opposition to TMC worksheet. Besides, they know the allegiance this faction will hold on to and has sworn to support during hustings.

BJP’s pulsating and deafening silence is loud enough for everyone to see and hear as their attention will remain pointedly focussed on 2019 LS elections in WB where the party president Amit Shah has earmarked at least 20 seats for BJP. Well, Ironically, unbeknownst to them, Darjeeling seat has slipping under their nose to TMC kitty. If Howrah seat sinks too, they will draw blank and end up a poor third after CPM.

Gorkha National Liberation Front

After the harrowing events prior to Subash Ghising’s unceremonious fall and eviction from the hills, and acrimonious political charade till his demise leading up to the advent of GJMM under little-known maverick called Bimal Gurung, GNLF seemed to plummet further into oblivion – its support base dwindling under its non-descriptive leaders. They still clamoured for Sixth Schedule status for Darjeeling hills, singing paeans of praises for their fallen supremo. But through providence or design, their fortunes appear to be brightening after their commonplace leader Mann Ghising wrote a fervent letter to the CM requesting for a dialogue to end the unenviable impasse. Perhaps, only those involved will know if the correspondence was undertaken unwittingly, or if it was done under instruction from Nabanna. They say he wrote it with an ‘acid’ in his heart. That acid went to work wonders in turning things around favourably for them. His wishes were granted. Bipartite talks followed, Nabanna sponsored ‘peace’ prevailed in the hills though an undercurrent of disquiet rippled unnoticeably. Months of macabre events of shooting, killing, arson and untold misery were dismissed and forgotten with the emergence of a new unchallenged order. People watched in awe unforeseen tableau unfolding in the neighbourhood. Some people on stage received accolades for no apparent reason, for no plausible success. Losers were acclaimed, garlanded and lionized for achieving nothing. And lo and behold! Suddenly one fine morning, GNLF bags indisputable honour of its chief heading ‘Hill Area Development Committee (HADC)’ though one wonders what streamlines its working procedures with that of GTA, also known to work for developments?

As the election to elect new GTA board members is overdue which cannot be put off sine die, the fate of present dispensation hangs in ominous suspended animation. Which means HADC is here to stay even after present shroud of uncertainty lifts. GNLF this way has clinched an encouraging deal in its favour.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha

‘Every which way but to lose’ is the dictum that suits well to describe the fate of the party that still calls shots in the hills, albeit a little differently this time around. It has split into two factions – one absconding following an unprecedented spate of violence, the blame of which squarely thrust on his shoulders. Incommunicado with his supporters, interspersed with occasional audio messages, laden with a lookout notice and hounded by security forces, he is rendered a fugitive without a future and a position. While he is fighting a traumatic judicial battle in Supreme Court, his antagonists are riding high in exuberance of unclaimed success, indulging in fantasy of make-believe victory. The party is surely headed for doom as the leader in exile is conspicuous by his absence to claim his fallen domain, while the faction led by rebels is basking on borrowed time in sycophancy. Notwithstanding the overt support some section of people is offering to the rebels, it would be naive to conclude that the takeover is complete. In contrast, the way GNLF is drawing crowds into its fold it won’t be long before they will claim total sway over hills political arena.

There is another remote but still a feeble chance of nebulous spectre of Bimal Gurung staging a spectacular comeback in the event of his acquittal from all the charges of crimes he is alleged to have committed. It is a long rope but it cannot be discounted with a pinch of salt, considering the elastic mindsets of hill people as evinced by the recent manifestations of transformation.

As for other political entities namely CPRM, JAP, ABGL et al – their significance hardly matters now given the negligible public support they enjoy. Whether the present uncertainty will cast an intriguing drama unfurling in political circle sending ripples of shockwaves across hills is something we can only fathom but not bet on. All said and done – the hills are agog with anticipation even as the trends point to a vacillating void and nihilism.

The post Taking Stock: The Hills are Agog with Anticipation, Trends Point to a Vacillating Void and Nihilism appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.