Muharram in Darjeeling

 A Gorkha Girl prays during the Muharram in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, Jan 20, 2008: The Martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, alongside his family and friends in the year 680 CE/61 AH. Their martyrdom was observed today in Darjeeling with the active participation of the non-muslim communities. Gorkha girls offered their prayers along with the Muslim girls from the Hills. The town essentially closed at around 3 pm for the Muharram procession to pass and for the people to participate.

A Petition from the Citizen’s Rights Forum – Kalimpong

 

Citizen’s Right Forum – Kalimpong

Ref. no. CRFK/070807

DATED 14/1

Mr. Bimal Gurung,

President,

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha,

Darjeeling.

 

SUB NON-COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT FOR DEMAND OF GORKHALAND

Sir,

We are happy that your party successfully carried out today the non co-operative movement against the Government to draw its attention towards our demand for Gorkhaland.

A Petition from the Darjeeling Citizen’s Forum

Darjeeling citizen’s Forum – Darjeeling

 

Dated: 15/01/2008 Ref. No. DCF/14/01/08

Mr. Bimal Gurung,

President,

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha,

Darjeeling.

Subject:Non -Cooperation Movement

Dear Sir,

Greetings and our deep appreciation to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s initiation of a non-violent passive resistance in the form of a Non Co-operation Movement for the attainment of Gorkhaland. This is definitely a civilized and a practical form of protest and we welcome it. However, Darjeeling Citizen’s Forum has some reservations about the movement vis-à-vis the closure of the Public Amenity Services. These services of day to day importance to the general people of Darjeeling Hills have been kept in the purview of the closure. Amenities like banking, the daily services of which are vital to the economy of the Hills and more so to the common people. There are numerous pensioners who have not been able to collect their pensions. The parents who depend on the salary earned by their children outside Darjeeling are also greatly affected. These are but the few of the problems faced by the general people and the business community vis-à-vis the closure of the banking sector. As per the closure of the Postal Department, our youths waiting for interview calls, job appointments, scholarship results and college admissions have been severely affected. The local business community which depends on the services of the Postal Department for exporting goods made in Darjeeling to the rest of the world has been severely affected. The third most important Essential Amenity Sector is the Food and Supply Department. The closure of this department could lead to severe restrictions in terms of the supply of food and food materials to the people of Darjeeling Hills. Rations to the marginalized public could be stopped and this could have severe repercussions.

An interview with Bimal Gurung, President, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha

Sixth Schedule Vs Gorkhaland – Truth behind Lies

More than two decades have passed unto history since the signing of the Darjeeling Hill Council Accord between the Central Government, State Government and Gorkha National Liberation Front. The generation which fought and sacrificed their collective destiny for the dream called Gorkhaland have been relegated to the task of webbing tales of yore. Still, Gorkhaland remains a dream for the many, the only political issue, the only political platform that can get you elected and most importantly the only way in which one can be guaranteed to be taken seriously by the populace. Subash Ghisingh has himself realized this to his utter annoyance. While it began almost the day Subash Ghisingh signed the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Accord on the 22^nd of August 1988 at Kolkata, almost two decades later Prashant became the nascent element in whom the people found a rallying point. He combined all Gorkhas of all castes breaking down international borders and melting down the psychological barriers that separated rich, professionally inclined Gorkhas and the poor village farmers. His victory became the symbol of Gorkha renaissance.

Now did Bimal Gurung cash on to the popularity gained during and after the making of Prashant the Third Indian Idol, when defying his party president he floated Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and declared Gorkhaland as his one and only goal? Or has Subash Ghisingh playing the Father of the Indian Gorkhas role still found Sixth Schedule to be the best bet for all Indian Gorkhas? Only time can tell. In the tug-of-war meanwhile that has ensured between GNLF and the newly formed Gorkha Janmukti Morcha people have found themselves to be sandwiched irrepressibly again, without a choice!

We meet up with the players of this political tug-of-war and tried make things clearer as to what they stand for and what they intend to pursue. The leaders who were interviewed included Bimal Gurung, President, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Ratna Bahadur Rai, Communist Party of the Revolutionary Marxists, Deepak Gurung, President, Gorkha National Liberation Front, Darjeeling Branch President and Madan Tamang, President, Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League. The following are the excerpts from the said interviews in a chronological manner in which they were taken.

First in the series

Listen to the interview:

VIDEOS

 

An interview with Bimal Gurung, President, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha

What were your aspirations when you joined GNLF and what led to the formation of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha?

Gorkhaland was the most important issue and the GNLF was at the helm of the movement that would lead to the formation of Gorkhaland. We were made to believe by Subash Ghisingh that when movement came to an end and the Council Accord was signed that it was a stepping stone towards Gorkhaland. But this did not happen even after twenty years. When the Sixth Schedule delegation was taken to Kolkata by Subash Ghisingh I was one of the delegates. At the Writers building we (Councilors) were asked to stay outside and drink tea while Subash Ghisingh went in with the CM to discuss on Sixth Schedule. When they returned after almost an hour, we were told by the CM that everything was well and that Sixth Schedule status would be conferred upon the Darjeeling Hills. My colleagues later when we landed at Bagdogra Airport decided to celebrate by exploding fire-crackers. I was shocked as to what we were celebrating when we did not know anything about Sixth Schedule. It was then I realized that nothing good for the people would ever be achieved staying in GNLF. Six days later, I met Subash Ghisingh and told him that I do not want to stay in GNLF. He requested me but I did not agree. He even threatened saying that this could lead to my downfall. I did not mind. Anyway only history will decide whose downfall would this lead to.