The hot issues of the hills at present are neither exams nor pay commission nor the fuel price hike but GORKHALAND. You ask any person what you want. Without a second thought he says Gorkhaland. Again ask him why do you want Gorkhaland? He will ramble with all the stories like Gorkha has been serving the nation, we receive step motherly treatment from Bengal, Ghishing has betrayed us, GNLF betrayed us, GNLF sold Darjeeling hills for 6th scheduled and GJMM will bring Gorkhaland. Bla..bla..bla. The answer flows from emotions and ends with lambasting Ghishing. You ask him again how the Gorkhaland will be achieved. The discussion gets diverted or he will start arguing. I never heard any leader or intellectual talking other than the emotions and insulting Ghishing. Yes, everybody in the hills wants a separate state. The person who does not want is a fool. But the leadership, (my perception) is again failing to convince the mass on the how part of it. It had happened in 86 too. Nobody can give a proper rationale for the demand of Gorkhaland. Is serving the nation a criteria for demanding statehood?
For a week (published in papers) all the available institutions and political parties were talking about the development issues of Hills. I thought every body were preparing for the election. Now –a –days people have started talking about the water issue. Bimal Gurung is busy in mobilizing the people but he also does not answer the how part of the movement. GNLF is claiming that they have support from the Indian National front for the new states and asking other parties including GJMM to join them. The land demarcation is also been done. Map of Gorkhaland been published and approved by the parties. But does it not sound absurd that one party claiming that it will bring Gorkhaland and asking others to follow? Will one party be able to bring Gorkhaland? I liked the concept of Collective leadership proposed by Madan Tamang (ABGL). What will it harm to any party if they come together and fight for the single cause instead of claiming their own rights. Otherwise CPM’s blame is true that they are fighting for Lalkothi only. Gorkhaland leaders give a break to yourselves and spend some times for reflection.
Here is an excerpt from the interview with Mahendra P. Lama
SikkimTimes: Regarding Gorkhaland movement which has again appeared in Darjeeling district, want to say anything?Dr. M.P Lama: What is happening in Darjeeling that is signifying good omen. There need such kind of movement and uprising so that the misrule and dictatorship created by Ghising would be uprooted. And one should remind this misrule and autocratic system will last no longer. After 18 months it would be totally uprooted.SikkimTimes: Is it possible to be Gorkhaland?Dr. M.P Lama: Hundred per cent as Centre is very favorable to us. Only the problem is mass mobilization. There need to be mass mobilization especially in plain areas. We should go to non-Nepalese people and try to convince them about our movement. They too are very fed up with the Bengal government, so, off course, they also will be with us. But we have to reach to them. And I would like to say, if we could convince them within one to four years we can achieve Gorkhaland.SikkimTimes: Sir, you said that Centre was favorable. What about Greater Nepal theory to Gorkhaland? Dr. M.P Lama: It is just an assumption and has nothing any factual theory.
http://www.sikkimtimes.com/Interviews/Interview-with-Mahendra-P-Lama.html
There is another very grave issue prevalent in the hills. The hill is being run by a bureaucrat. Is it not the repetition of Kalimpong Municipality which was run for almost 5-6 years by a bureaucrat? It is a danger for the hill democracy. When will Gorkhaland be achieved? If we believe Professor Lama, then the hills will be governed by a bureaucrat for 4 years? Is this what GJMM leaders wanted?
By the way I heard, not confirmed, Sikkim is asking for 6th schedule. Earlier when Ghisingh asked for Gorkha Bhasha, Sikkim hijacked the issue with Nepali language. This time 6th scheduled was about to be given new movement started. I think dal may kuch kala hai.
Nevertheless, support received from kamtapuri and greater Coochbehar parties are positive indicators of the movement. My only hope is let leaders come together and fight for the same cause. Stop insulting each other. Use brain also.
Lastly, The amendment regarding the formation of a new state byseparating territory from any other state must be passed by both the houses and before that the opinion of that state is to be ascertained by the president.
For a week (published in papers) all the available institutions and political parties were talking about the development issues of Hills. I thought every body were preparing for the election. Now –a –days people have started talking about the water issue. Bimal Gurung is busy in mobilizing the people but he also does not answer the how part of the movement. GNLF is claiming that they have support from the Indian National front for the new states and asking other parties including GJMM to join them. The land demarcation is also been done. Map of Gorkhaland been published and approved by the parties. But does it not sound absurd that one party claiming that it will bring Gorkhaland and asking others to follow? Will one party be able to bring Gorkhaland? I liked the concept of Collective leadership proposed by Madan Tamang (ABGL). What will it harm to any party if they come together and fight for the single cause instead of claiming their own rights. Otherwise CPM’s blame is true that they are fighting for Lalkothi only. Gorkhaland leaders give a break to yourselves and spend some times for reflection.
Here is an excerpt from the interview with Mahendra P. Lama
SikkimTimes: Regarding Gorkhaland movement which has again appeared in Darjeeling district, want to say anything?Dr. M.P Lama: What is happening in Darjeeling that is signifying good omen. There need such kind of movement and uprising so that the misrule and dictatorship created by Ghising would be uprooted. And one should remind this misrule and autocratic system will last no longer. After 18 months it would be totally uprooted.SikkimTimes: Is it possible to be Gorkhaland?Dr. M.P Lama: Hundred per cent as Centre is very favorable to us. Only the problem is mass mobilization. There need to be mass mobilization especially in plain areas. We should go to non-Nepalese people and try to convince them about our movement. They too are very fed up with the Bengal government, so, off course, they also will be with us. But we have to reach to them. And I would like to say, if we could convince them within one to four years we can achieve Gorkhaland.SikkimTimes: Sir, you said that Centre was favorable. What about Greater Nepal theory to Gorkhaland? Dr. M.P Lama: It is just an assumption and has nothing any factual theory.
http://www.sikkimtimes.com/Interviews/Interview-with-Mahendra-P-Lama.html
There is another very grave issue prevalent in the hills. The hill is being run by a bureaucrat. Is it not the repetition of Kalimpong Municipality which was run for almost 5-6 years by a bureaucrat? It is a danger for the hill democracy. When will Gorkhaland be achieved? If we believe Professor Lama, then the hills will be governed by a bureaucrat for 4 years? Is this what GJMM leaders wanted?
By the way I heard, not confirmed, Sikkim is asking for 6th schedule. Earlier when Ghisingh asked for Gorkha Bhasha, Sikkim hijacked the issue with Nepali language. This time 6th scheduled was about to be given new movement started. I think dal may kuch kala hai.
Nevertheless, support received from kamtapuri and greater Coochbehar parties are positive indicators of the movement. My only hope is let leaders come together and fight for the same cause. Stop insulting each other. Use brain also.
Lastly, The amendment regarding the formation of a new state byseparating territory from any other state must be passed by both the houses and before that the opinion of that state is to be ascertained by the president.
How is the single party without the support of other parties achieve this first goal? Time to think now.
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