An apolitical forum has been formed in Darjeeling to pursue the demand of Gorkhaland at a time the dynamics of hill politics have changed with both Bimal Gurung and Binay Tamang factions of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha aligning with the Trinamul Congress, a party opposed to the statehood.
Leaders of the new organisation — Gorkhaland Sankalp Samua — held a meeting with office-bearers of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, another apolitical organisation espousing the cause of the Gorkhas across the country, in Darjeeling on Sunday to present their plans and proposals to pursue the statehood demand.
Pasang Sherpa, a representative of the GSS, said there had been a realisation that political parties had failed to achieve much through their movements.
“This, we feel, is because they are not united. We want to create a platform where a united Gorkha voice can be heard,” said Sherpa stressing that the apolitical organisation would extensively use social media to reach out to the Gorkhas across the country.
At a time both the factions of the Morchas have aligned with Trinamul and the GNLF is talking about the possibility of going for a “permanent political solution”, which is not less than the provisions enshrined in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, observers believe the new apolitical organisation is trying to tap in the “silent majority” which do not agree with the present stand of hill parties.
Even though most hill parties swear by Gorkhaland, which is an emotive issue, the disillusionment against these parties is slowly coming out in the open, said an observer.
The GSS highlighted that the movements by political parties had achieved little but only destroyed “the economy, education, livelihood and even politics of the hills”.
“Our primary agenda at the moment is to unite all voices, including parties, and bring them to a common platform so that the demand is pursued strongly,” said Sherpa.
Sources said this new forum would not allow its members to engage with political parties.
“The forum is looking at agitation which does not severely affect common lives. Movements like not accepting government benefits on a particular day, hoisting national flags to demand Gorkhaland and mobilising people across the region with specific events, are being considered by the forum at the moment,” said a source.
Observers believe that these events are probably aimed to first mobilise support for the new platform.
The fact that the BGP has given credence to the new initiative suggests there is a bigger churn below the surface.
Sukhman Moktan, national president, BGP, said members of the apolitical organisations discussed the present situation of Darjeeling and “the problem, weaknesses and initiatives and strategies that need to be undertaken for fulfilment of Gorkhaland demand”. “We have also decided to hold a national seminar on Gorkhaland in Darjeeling soon,” said Moktan.
