Gorkhaland statehood demand back in spotlight as Centre appoints former Dy NSA as interlocutor for talks

Welcoming the Centre’s decision to appoint Singh for talks, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), in a statement, said, “We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for taking this positive step of appointing an interlocutor to take forward and finalise the political demands of the Gorkha community.”

Stating that the GJM was formed with the “sole aim” of securing the political identity and rights of the Gorkha community, the outfit leaders Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri said: “We have dedicated nearly two decades of political activism for Gorkhaland state and granting of Scheduled Tribe status for the 11 Gorkha sub-tribes… A permanent solution under the Constitution of India for our region is not only vital for protecting the rights of the Gorkha community, but also essential for the overall progress and prosperity of the entire region and the people who live here. The Gorkha, Rajbongshi, Adivasi, Bengali, and other communities have coexisted here in harmony for generations. We look forward to the day when every individual in our region will have the opportunity to participate fully and equally in shaping a brighter future together.”

Urging other political parties and social organisations from the region to welcome the “positive development”, the GJM said: “At this critical juncture, our foremost duty is to rise above individual interests and work together with a common agenda for the betterment of our people and our region. We call on everyone, regardless of their political or social affiliations, to join hands in unity, so that we can present a strong and collective voice.”

In a statement, Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) chief Mann Ghising thanked PM Modi and Shah, and said: “With this initiative, not just a few individuals or groups, but all concerned stakeholders will now have the opportunity to present their views, suggestions, and perspectives in a constructive manner… We firmly believe that this inclusive and consultative process will pave the way for a concrete, just, and permanent solution to the long-standing political aspirations of the Gorkha community.”

The BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista, expressed hope that all stakeholders, including the West Bengal government, would engage with the interlocutor “positively”, and work towards taking the final step for a “permanent solution” for our region.

“For the first time in our region’s history, we have reached the stage of appointment of an interlocutor without bloodshed, political turmoil, or the loss of a single life. To me, this represents a significant victory for the people of our region,” Bista posted on X.

However, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of trying to woo Gorkha voters before the Assembly polls in the state, which is due in a few months.

“It is clear that this is another attempt to woo the voters of Darjeeling and the surrounding areas before the Assembly elections in the state,” Minister for North Bengal Development Udayan Guha told The Express over the phone.

“The BJP is behind the move. There had been talks earlier, but nothing came of it. Once again, the BJP is trying to incite tension and divide people by fanning the separate statehood demand,” Guha added, referring to the talks between Darjeeling leaders and the Centre, first in October 2021 and then in April 2025.

The demand for the separate state of Gorkhaland was first raised by GNLF leader Subhash Ghising in the 1980s. The separate state demand also witnessed 104 days of strikes and clashes in Darjeeling and the surrounding hills on September 26, 2017.

Since 2012, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a semi-autonomous council, has been in place in Darjeeling. It replaced the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), which was established in 1988, following the movement led by Subhash Ghising.