A high-level meeting was held today in Delhi, chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs (North) Nityanand Rai, to discuss the future of the Gorkha community and the Darjeeling region. Representatives from the hills, Terai, and Dooars regions, along with senior officials from the Union government, participated in the talks, which lasted over 90 minutes.
The meeting focused on the historical challenges faced by the region, including issues of marginalization and the demand for constitutional safeguards to protect the identity and rights of the Gorkha people. A key aspect of the discussions was the demand for official recognition of 11 Gorkha sub-tribes that have yet to be acknowledged. The delegation emphasized that any resolution must ensure constitutional protection for the land, people, and culture of the region.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to addressing these long-standing concerns through structured dialogue, upholding the principles of cooperative federalism. He assured the Gorkha representatives that their concerns would be conveyed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and appropriate measures would be taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rai also appreciated the Centre’s efforts in engaging with the Gorkha community and vowed to continue working towards a meaningful solution.
The Gorkha delegation included prominent political leaders such as Mann Ghising of the GNLF, Bimal Gurung of the GJM, J.B. Rai of CPRM, and Dawa Pakhrin of GoRaNiMo, among others. Key officials from the Centre present in the meeting included Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Registrar General of India Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs Roumuan Paite.
Despite the significance of the discussions, the West Bengal government was notably absent, drawing criticism from Gorkha leaders for its continued disengagement from the issue. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Nityanand Rai for their proactive efforts in resolving the long-standing issues of Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars. However, the absence of the West Bengal government raised concerns among Gorkha leaders, who view it as an indication of the state’s reluctance to actively engage in finding a lasting solution.
The meeting marks a significant step towards addressing the historical grievances of the Gorkha community, and it remains to be seen whether the Centre’s commitments will translate into meaningful reforms. As the dialogue continues, the onus is on the Centre and the West Bengal government to work together to find a lasting solution that respects the rights and identity of the Gorkha people.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/sikkim/story/centre-holds-key-discussions-on-gorkha-issues-west-bengal-government-skips-talks-again-1193669-2025-04-03?utm_source=rssfeed
Category :
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-04-03 20:22:00
