Bimal Gurung of Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha with his 150 leaders are in New Delhi marking protests for Gorkhaland, a seperate state of the Darjeeling Hills for the Gorkhas.
Prime Minister Modi during his election campaign had addressed in Darjeeling that he would “sympathetically consider” the demand for a Gorkhaland. With this assurance Gorkha Jana Mukti had supported BJP canditate Mr S.S. Ahluwalia who now is the MP form Darjeeling.
As per the assurance and coperation the Gorkhas now want a dialouge with the Central Government.
The Gorkhaland movement was long started in the mid 80s by Subash Ghising. A bloody agitation took place with many loss of lives and many homeless. Unfortunately nothing much materliased with Late Ghising compromising with a mere Gorkha Hill Council which now under Gurung’s regime is known as Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
The Darjeeling Hills which is the center spot for tourists and also renowned for Darjeeling Tea and the prestigious English Schools that was established during the British era. After from hefty revenues generated West Bengal has done the least for the development of the Darjeeling Hills. As a result unemployment, lack of proper infrastructre is eveident with the poor roads, electricity and Hospital conditions. The people of hills demand an equal right as citizens of India.
The local parties of the hills have now realized the protests within the hills will not result to any concrete results therefore Jantar Mantar in New Delhi is the appropriate venue for protests. A lot of public sympathy from the public is also expected to build pressure on the central Government.
BJP has always been in favour of smaller states and was also advocated by Pratap Rudy in the past. Now it is be seen how this favour is reciprocated by the Central Government.
