'Gorkhaland' demand re-ignites.

[oFFbEAT]

Following a misplaced apprehension that the West Bengal State Govt. is trying to impose
Bengali language on the Nepali language speaking ethnic Gorkha people of the Northern hilly areas of West Bengal, one of the country's most popular hill stations, the agitation began.
The origin of the fear lies in the May 16 announcement by Bengal education minister Partha
Chatterjee that Bengali should be a compulsory subject from Class 1 to 10 in the state but
later, after the agitation, Mamata Banerjee herself cleared that Bengali would not be a
compulsory subject, it would be optional, nonetheless, the already started agitation intensified.

Nepali is the official language in the hills of Bengal, recognised as an official language
of Bengal in 1961. Nepali was recognised as one of the official languages of India in 1992.
People of Indian Gorkha ethnic origin from the northern hilly areas of West Bengal
(Darjeeling, Siliguri, Dooar etc.) have demanded a separate state within the Indian govt.
for a long time. They felt that, on the basis of their ethnic history, language and
distinct identity, a separate administrative unit for the Gorkhas would be an initiative
for the greater good of the community.

After a violent mass movement under the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) in the
1980s, the 'Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) was formed in 1988 which administered the Darjeeling hills for 23 years with some degree of autonomy.
Dissatisfactions among the leaders within the GNLF led to the formation of another body
called Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) which is actively engaged in the agitation now.

It is interesting to note that, ahead of the 2009 General Elections in India, the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) announced its policy of having smaller states and to create two more
states, Telangana and Gorkhaland, if they won the general election. They didn't win but GJM supported the candidature of Jaswant Singh of BJP, who won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat with 51.5% votes in his favour. In the July 2009 budget session of Parliament, three BJP Parliamentarians— Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sushma Swaraj and Jaswant Singh—strongly pleaded for creating the state of Gorkhaland.

BJP won the 2014 general Election with a massive mandate and it's yet to be seen what stand they take regarding this violent agitation.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...isis-so-far/story-A4cRxE6MoiGOWzzjYcqevL.html

 

[oFFbEAT]

I know multiple threads exist on this topic but they are all filled with misinformation, trying to relate Gorkhaland movement with the kashmir issue.
I've summarized the history, significance and impact of the movement as briefly as possible, so that we can have a constructive discussion.
Mods can merge this thread with the others, if they wish.

 

[P@nThEr]

If Mamata wants to impose Bangla then Gorkhaland needs a separate state.. That b!tch is good for nothing.

 

[oFFbEAT]

IMHO, Gorkhas should be given their own administrative area. They are among the most courageous and patriotic people.
Moreover, the creation of Telengana and Gorkhaland was promised by the current ruling party, one has already been created, why delay the other?

If the Bodos and other ethnic groups of India demand their own administrative areas, they should be allowed as well. Smaller administrative areas can offer more efficient service and since they are created on ethnic ground, the question of biasness won't arise.

 

[ashok321]

Pro-Gorkhaland parties to begin fast unto death

India's situation is akin to a moribund moose which attracts most mosquitoes.
Modi or no Modi.