He was greatly inspired by the prominent Gandhian freedom fighters of Dehradun like Thakur Chandan Singh, Veer Khadagabahadur Singh Bisht, Pandit Ishwaranand Gorkha, and Amar Singh Thapa. The Dandi March of Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 to violate “salt rule” started generating patriotic sentiments in the heart of Durga Malla, motivating him to take part in the freedom struggle.

At the time of the Satyagraha movement, Durga Malla was only a student of the ninth class, but he was actively engaged in anti-British activities in his locality. He used to enter the Gorkha battalion area in the night with some of his friends to paste posters of the freedom struggle. Sometimes, he participated in processions with freedom fighters. Due to his anti-British activities, his family was frequently subjected to severe interrogation by the British Government.

Durga Malla was in his youth in 1930.

The formation of the Indian National Army represented a milestone in the history of India’s freedom struggle. Durga Malla was one of those who played an important role in the formation of the Indian National Army. In 1942, he not only joined this Army with a patriotic zeal but also inspired his fellow men to join it.

Initially, Durga Malla was given the responsibility to mobilize volunteers for the Indian National Army from different Gorkha battalions. Later, by virtue of his patriotic feelings, his sense of duty towards his country, and his valor, he earned a promotion to the rank of Major.

When after the formation of the Provisional Azad Hind Government under the supreme command of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose war was declared against the Allied Forces on 25 October 1943, soldiers of different branches of the Indian National Army were deployed on the fronts. Durga Malla was posted in the Intelligence Branch.

After his arrest, Durga Malla was kept in the prison at Red Fort, New Delhi as a prisoner of war. He was prosecuted by the military court under section 41 of the Indian Army Law and section 121 of the Indian Penal Code. He was given death sentence by the Court Martial, the court of trial before which he was tried at Red Fort.

That was the time when the imperialist British rulers were trying to suppress the Indian freedom struggle by all means. Therefore, before the death sentence was finally executed, the British authorities tried to coax Major Durga Malla into confessing the wrong and promised him a grant of remission if he could do so. But it was against the wishes of Veer Durga Malla whose only objective was to get the country free. He preferred to embrace the gallows rather than accepting the proposal of the British rulers. All persuasions having failed, Durga Malla’s wife Smt. Sharda Devi was brought before him to the prison cell as the last resort. British authorities were of the opinion that she would persuade her husband to apologize. But Major Malla yielded to no devices of the British authorities. On the contrary, he gave his wife his last words by saying. “Sharda, I am sacrificing my life for the freedom of my motherland. You need not be worried and distressed. Crores of Hindustanis will be with you after my death. The Sacrifice I am offering, shall not go in vain. India shall be free. I am confident, this is only a matter of time.”

On 25th August 1944, he was sent to the gallows.

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“As you are aware of the long pending constitutional demand of the Gorkhas for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The Gorkhas have made their home for a very long period.

The contributions of the Gorkhas towards their motherland have been immeasurable and they have made supreme sacrifices in protecting this beloved country.

Evoking the memories of Gorkha greats, Meghalaya CM stated, “The martyrdom of the Gorkha freedom fighter Major Durga Malla received the highest respect and honour in the country when his statue was installed in the Parliament House Complex in 2004. Shri. Damber Singh Gurung and Shri. Ari Bahadur Gurung were members of the Constituent Assembly of India and the later was a signatory of the approved copy of the Constitution of India when it was adopted. Similarly, Captain Ram Singh Thakuri was another prominent Gorkha freedom fighter and musician who composed the music of the inspiring National Anthem.”

“Sir, as stated, Gorkhas have contributed immensely to the fabric of Indian society and as with other citizens of India, the Gorkhas too are rightful Indian citizens who deserve to have their identity and Bas Bhoomi,” Meghalaya CM further stated.

Meghalaya CM Sangma further writes, “The NDA government under the leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has passed several landmark decisions in the interest of the people of this country. In the same manner, I urge your good office to kindly give a patient hearing to the just and legitimate demand of the Gorkhas of North Bengal and offer an honourable and lasting political solution at the earliest which will satisfy the long pending aspiration of this honourable and dedicated people.”

Writing on the same issue, Darjeeling MLA, Neeraj Zimba also wrote to the Home Minister requesting to open dialogue for a permanent political solution. Here is the test of his submission:

“The GTA was a stop-gap arrangement born out of the tripartite agreement between the Centre, the State, and the majority ruling Party GJMM. It has now been running with a few nominated members handpicked by the ruling dispensation as a purely temporary measure in obvious disregard to the democratic norms of the Indian Constitution. The situation demands that the Central Government take this matter seriously and act accordingly in order to save the region from future disturbances and turmoil. As you are aware that, in 2009, when BJP hardly had any presence in West Bengal, Darjeeling had elected BJP MP and, since then, it has been electing BJP MP in successive Elections. In the 2019 Election, the BJP candidate Shri. Raju Bista won by a thumping majority and I won as your Party’s MLA candidate with an overwhelming majority.

That, since the representatives of the then undivided Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) having resigned en masse from the Gorkha Territorial Administration rendered it dormant on 25th June 2017, triggering a mass movement with renewed agenda for a separate state of Gorkhaland under the constitutional framework of India, a strong dissatisfaction amongst the Hills people has surfaced again.

That, the ruling West Bengal Government formed a Board of Administrators with the nominated Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from the breakaway faction of GJMM and, that, this Board is being used by the ruling dispensation for putting pressures on the people in the form of various Police and administrative measures to advance its own agenda of political hegemony.

The resentment felt by the people against the six-monthly extensions of the tenure of the existing ad-hoc GTA Administrative Board since 2017 may take a serious turn making the situation more volatile creating greater disturbances and disharmony in the area. As a matter of fact, such an arrangement is the complete antithesis to the aspiration of the majority of the Hill people which has created more administrative confusion. Without the support of a constitutional backup, the functioning of the structurally handicapped GTA has deprived our people of natural justice.

The GTA was a stop-gap arrangement born out of the tripartite agreement between the Centre, the State and the majority ruling Party GJMM. It has now been running with a few nominated members handpicked by the ruling dispensation as a purely temporary measure in obvious disregard to the democratic norms of the Indian Constitution. The situation demands that the Central Government take this matter seriously and act accordingly in order to save the region from future disturbances and turmoil. As you are aware that, in 2009, when BJP hardly had any presence in West Bengal, Darjeeling had elected BJP MP and, since then, it has been electing BJP MP in successive Elections. In the 2019 Election, the BJP candidate Shri. Raju Bista won by a thumping majority and I won as your Party’s MLA candidate with an overwhelming majority.

Under these circumstances, I would request you to turn your kind attention to the plight of the people of Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hills, certain areas of Terai and Dooars, and initiate a dialogue process for finding out a Permanent Political Solution for this region at the earliest, by involving all the stakeholders and political parties so as to prevent further aggravation of the people’s resentment which may well turn into yet another mass movement. Your timely intervention through the said process will undoubtedly go a long way in resolving the historical problem of the Indian Gorkhas and establish a new era of peace, harmony, and prosperity in our region.

I would further request that the Meeting Notice of the MHA (CS Division) to discuss the issues related to GTA scheduled on the 7th of August, 2020 notified vide F. No. 12013/01/2011-SR dated 27th July 2020, which is postponed by MHA, (CS Division) vide Notice dated the 1st of August 2020 be completely called off and a fresh meeting be proposed in the larger interest of the general populace. The review meeting with GTA run by a small body of nominated members under the ad-hoc arrangement does not merit justification. I sincerely hope that the government of the day will take significant and concrete steps towards finding out a political solution for this region in the interest of national security.

Thanking you in anticipation of your early attention.”

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This is his story

Countless Gorkhas have fought and made sacrifices for our beloved nation. From the freedom struggle to the heights of Kargil, Gorkhas have always been at the forefront in the defence of our country. Shaheed Durga Malla belongs to the front rank of Gorkha heroes martyred for the cause of our country’s freedom. He epitomized the fighting spirit and ardent patriotism of Indian Gorkhas.

His Family and Early Life

Born on 1 July 1913 at village Doiwala in Dehradun district of Uttaranchal, Durga Malla was the eldest of the four sons of Parwati Devi and Ganga Ram Malla. Ganga Ram Malla was Jamadar (now called Naib-Subedar) of Gorkha Rifles in the Military and Parwati Devi a housewife. Over time, this family was blessed with three more sons and three daughters. The eldest among the four brothers, Durga Malla was an extremely self-respecting, laborious, dedicated and honest person.

The ancestors of Durga Malla had been living in Doiwala area since the eighteenth century. Their main was agriculture and service in military forces. Growing sugarcane crop, preparing ‘gur’ and sugar; and selling them in the market was also part of their profession.

Since his childhood, Durga Malla was different in nature from other children of his age. Besides having a keen interest in sports, particularly football, Durga Malla has a great fascination for literary and social activities. He was very good at studies. But due to the absence of proper educational facilities in Doiwala area, he had to join Gorkha Military Middle School, at present Gorkha Military Inter College, near Dehradun. Since the school was quite far from Doiwala, he shifted to his paternal uncle Kedar Malla’s house at Nalapani. He used to go to school on foot along with one or two of his friends, covering a distance of about 8 or 9 miles every day. Despite being tired on return from school late in the evening, he never neglected his studies and always stood first in his class.

Durga Malla had drawn inspiration from the poet and social reformer Subedar-Major Bahadur Singh Baral and the musician and playwright Mitra Sen Thapa. He was greatly inspired by the prominent Gandhian freedom fighters of Dehradun like Thakur Chandan Singh, Veer Khadagabahadur Singh Bisht, Pandit Ishwaranand Gorkha and Amar Singh Thapa. The Dandi March of Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 to violate ‘salt rule’ started generating patriotic sentiments in the heart of Durga Malla, motivating him to take part in the freedom struggle. He could see the vision of the freedom of India under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

At the time of the Satyagraha movement, Durga Malla was only a student of ninth class, but he was actively engaged in anti-British activities in his locality. He used to enter the Gorkha battalion area in the night with some of his friends to paste posters of freedom struggle. Sometimes, he participated in processions with freedom fighters. Due to his anti-British activities, his family was frequently subjected to severe interrogation by the British Government.

Durga Malla was in his youth in 1930. He always remained worried and restless at the plight of the Gorkha society. The following lines, composed by Durga Malla and published in the book Thakur Chandan Singh authored by Magan ‘Pathik’ writer-editor and poet of ‘Bhaksu’, reflect his sentiments and restlessness in his heart for self-respect—

Dikhao aakar Bhagwan, susupt jaati ko rah;
Kya hua hamein, kyon hui aaj mati mand;
Virata, pourush ke karan mili veer Gorkha ki upadhi;
o here ke saman tha ujjwal, kyon hua maati tulya
Aaj dekhkar yeh, kuchh kah nahin sakta;
Kab janeinge yah apne kartavya, sabhi ke ude hain hosh.
Kaise mila janm inhen, badal gaye saare;
Karate hain apnon ki chugali, pyar bantne ke badle.
Chali gai purkhon ki pratishtha, Jaat hui badnam;
Sirf bacha hai manav chola, kyon banate ho maati.
‘Durga’ likh raha hai lekh, prabhu choor karo inka darp;
Netra hon, to ab bhi dekho, anya logon ki chalane ki rah

Durga Malla was also deeply concerned about the subjugation of India and the pathetic condition of the country. Therefore, he joined the freedom struggle to free the country from the shackles of slavery. This was the time when the police in Dehradun was frantically arresting freedom fighters. As a result, freedom fighters started migrating to other places from Dehradun. To dodge the police, Durga Malla, who was a young student, went away to the house of a relative at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

In 1931, when he was only eighteen years old, he joined the 2/1 battalion of Gorkha Rifles. In his battalion, Durga Malla was comparatively a more educated recruit. Therefore, after completing ‘recruit training’, he was sent to Pune for ‘signal training’. Over time, he attained excellence in several other military trainings. Based on his dedicated services and efficiency, he got quick promotions and after a few years, was promoted to the important post of Signal Hawaldar.

In 1941, after serving the army for about ten years, Durga Malla married Sharda Devi, a girl of Thakuri family of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. But fate had something else in store for him. It was the time of the Second World War. Japanese aggression had become more violent in Burma, Malaya and Singapore. The 2/1 battalion of Gorkha Rifles was also ordered to advance for the war- field. Just three days after his marriage Durga Malla got an emergent call from his unit. He was called back for war by the Army even before his newly married bride Sharda Devi could get acquainted with him.

Participation in the Second World War

Being a true patriot, Durga Malla did not get upset while leaving his newly married bride alone back at home. He marched for war with utmost courage. When his battalion reached Secunderabad, he was sanctioned leave for 28 days and allowed to reach home and meet his family members before departing for Malaya. From Secunderabad, his battalion reached Bombay and on 23 August 1941 departed for Malaya from the Bombay sea-port. By September 1941, all the Gorkha battalions had reached Malaya. Following an attack on 8 December 1941 by Japan to the Allied Forces deployed in South-East Asia, the war was declared. By 11 December 1941, the condition of the British Forces weakened. Gradually, Japanese forces tightened their grip over the war.

Never before in the history of British rule had the Indian soldiers felt so demoralized as did in Malaya and subsequently at other places in South-East Asia. In December 1941, a group of Indian soldiers lost themselves in the jungle. One of their officers, Captain Mohan Singh decided not to rejoin the retreating British Forces. He convinced himself that Indian soldiers had no cause to fight for the Britishers and instead fight the Britishers along with the Japanese. With this mission in his mind, he approached Major Fujiwara of Japan who assured him that Japan was prepared to go all out to assist India to attain independence. Major Fujiwara also declared that all Indian Prisoners of War, who were handed over to the Japanese Government by a British officer Col.Hunt on behalf of the British Government, would be under the control of Captain Mohan Singh.

To consolidate the Indian Independence movement in South-East Asia and determine the nature of Japanese assistance to the movement, two conferences were held in Tokyo and Bangkok in March and June 1942, respectively where the important decision to raise the Indian National Army was taken. On 1 September 1942, the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauz) was officially formed in Singapore.

Role in the Indian National Army

The formation of the Indian National Army represented a milestone in the history of India’s freedom struggle. Durga Malla was one of those who played an important role in the formation of the Indian National Army. In 1942, he not only joined this Army with a patriotic zeal but also inspired his fellow men to join it.

Initially, Durga Malla was given the responsibility to mobilize volunteers for the Indian National Army from different Gorkha battalions. Later, by virtue of his patriotic feelings, his sense of duty towards his country and his valour, he earned promotion to the rank of Major.

At the War Front

When after the formation of the Provisional Azad Hind Government under the supreme command of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose war was declared against the Allied Forces on 25 October 1943, soldiers of different branches of the Indian National Army were deployed on the fronts. Durga Malla was posted in the Intelligence Branch. He, along with some other fellow soldiers entered the hilly area of the then greater Assam across Burma border. There he used to collect and send important information regarding matters of strategic importance to the headquarters of Indian National Army in Rangoon despite the shortage of supplies, ammunition and weapons and adverse geographical conditions. On 27 March 1944, when Durga Malla was on a mission to collect information of the enemy camps, he was captured by the soldiers of the enemy side at Ukhrul in Manipur near Kohima.

Prisoner of War and Trial

After his arrest, Durga Malla was kept in the prison at Red Fort, New Delhi as a prisoner of war. He was prosecuted by a military court under section 41 of the Indian Army Law and section 121 of the Indian Penal Code. He was given death sentence by the Court Martial, the court of trial before which he was tried at Red Fort. That was the time when the imperialist British rulers were trying to suppress the Indian freedom struggle by all means. Therefore, before the death sentence was finally executed, the British authorities tried to coax Major Durga Malla into confessing the wrong and promised him a grant of remission if he could do so. But it was against the wishes of Veer Durga Malla whose only objective was to get the country free. He preferred to embrace the gallows rather than accepting the proposal of the British rulers. All persuasions having failed, Durga Malla’s wife Smt. Sharda Devi was brought before him at the prison cell as the last resort. British authorities were of the opinion that she would persuade her husband to apologise. But Major Malla yielded to no devices of the British authorities. On the contrary, he gave his wife his last words by saying.”Sharda, I am sacrificing my life for the freedom of my motherland. You need not be worried and distressed. Crores of Hindustanis will be with you after my death. The Sacrifice I am offering, shall not go in vain. India shall be free. I am confident, this is only a matter of time.”

Supreme Sacrifice

On 15th August 1944, Veer Durga, the great patriot, was taken to Delhi Central Jail from the Red Fort. After ten days, on 25th August 1944, he was sent to the gallows. Thus ended the journey of one more noble son of mother India who laid down his precious life at the altar of Freedom. Durga Malla’s Physical body is no more but he sacrificed himself after leading a meaningful life of only 31 years and became immortal.

This article was originally published here.

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The hospital which has been serving poor since ages for the treatment or precisely the only hospital that poor can afford to treat their ailment is under distressing state nowadays.

The well off run down to Siliguri for their treatment. But this hospital is the only hope of poor people in order to get a new life after their treatment since being an affordable one.

I had visited the hospital yesterday to find it pathetic. Our former MP Shri Jaswant Singh though could not give the permanent political solution to us Gorkhas but had donated an ambulance for the service of poor or underprivileged.

To my horror, I found the ambulance in the dead state. I was sorry to see it let lie ignored or useless.

I have seen the dying people getting cured in the same hospital but the very ambulance which can be repaired and used for the service of mankind hasn’t come under the notice of the hospital management or our local administration. This is blatantly an apathy of both the bodies. The nonchalance of the civic body is also to be blamed.

The rich can afford hospitals in bigger cities under sophisticated equipment doesn’t mean that our heritage which has served rich and poor all equally has to be frowned upon or let lie under a sorry state.

Therefore, I earnestly request one and all including hospital management, local administration and concerned government body to come forward and do the needful for which I being a local resident shall pay my gratitude on behalf of all people who may be reluctant to speak out but awaiting our hospital to be well managed and serve the poor and rich equally.

Writes: Bishal Tamang(Jingo)

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The event was attended by Hon’ble Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, Smt Rajya Laxmi Saha (Tehri MP), Indra Hang Subba (Sikkim MP), John Barla (Alipurduars MP) Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay (former Rajya Sabha MP), and Raju Bista (Darjeeling MP).

Major Durga Malla was born on 1 July 1913, at village Doiwala in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Durga Malla was one of those who played an important role in the formation of the Indian National Army and was tasked with intelligence-related operations.

Speaking to the media after paying his respects to Durga Malla, Kiren Rijiju said “The contributions of the Gorkha community in the freedom struggle is tremendous. Durga Mallaji’s statue here inside the parliament represents the sacrifices of the Gorkhas. It is an honour to remember such a great personality and be part of this pious occasion.”

Durga Malla’s last words to his wife Sharda Malla were, “Sharda, I am sacrificing my life for the freedom of my motherland. You need not be worried and distressed. Crores of Hindustanis will be with you after my death. The Sacrifice I am offering, shall not go in vain. India shall be free. I am confident, this is only a matter of time.”

Raju Bista, MP from Darjeeling, while speaking to the media said “It is a matter of pride that Indian Gorkhas have examples like Durga Malla Ji who sacrificed his life for the sake of the country. I am proud that I belong to a community that has produced many such brave souls who have never shied away from making any sacrifice for the sake of the nation, even with their lives.” Indra Hang Subba, Member of Parliament from Sikkim added: “I feel fortunate that I am able to participate in this historic moment and be inspired by such dedicated soldiers of the nation.”

Community members and representative of Gorkha ex-servicemen also attended the event held for the first time since the statute was installed in the parliament in 2004.

Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla also met with the MPs and the people gathered after the event and assured all help for any issues pertaining to the Gorkha community.

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