Darjeeling Hill Leaders Welcome Central Interlocutor, Present Demand for Gorkhaland State or Union Territory with Full Legislative Powers
In a significant development for the Darjeeling region, hill leaders have welcomed the newly appointed central interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh, while presenting an unequivocal demand for the creation of Gorkhaland as a full-fledged state within the Indian Constitution. The leaders emphasized that their demand is rooted in federal principles and administrative efficiency, not separatism.
First Visit of Central Interlocutor to Darjeeling
Pankaj Kumar Singh, former deputy national security advisor appointed by the Centre as interlocutor to address the Gorkha community's long-pending demands, arrived in Darjeeling on Friday for his first official visit. On Saturday, he held a series of meetings with representatives from various hill organizations, including the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).
The meetings marked a crucial step in addressing the decades-old political aspirations of the Gorkha community in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Terai, and Dooars regions. Singh's appointment by the Union Home Ministry on November 10 last year had previously drawn criticism from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who called the move unconstitutional and arbitrary in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Unequivocal Demand for Statehood or Union Territory with Legislative Powers
During the meetings, GJM chief Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri submitted a detailed letter to Singh outlining their demands. The document, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, states: "The Gorkhas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars have, for decades, articulated their democratic and constitutional aspiration for a permanent political and administrative solution that ensures dignity, security, development, and preservation of their distinct socio-cultural identity within the Indian Union."
The letter further clarifies: "This demand is rooted not in separatism, but in the legitimate federal principle of administrative efficiency, historical injustice, and the right to self-governance within the Indian democratic framework."
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the leaders presented a clear alternative: if statehood is not considered feasible at this juncture, they demand the creation of a Union Territory with full legislative powers, similar to other Union Territories with legislatures. The letter emphasizes that any arrangement falling short of legislative authority would not address the political aspirations or governance needs of the region and would only perpetuate instability.
Additional Demand for Tribal Status for 11 Gorkha Sub-Tribes
Beyond the political restructuring demands, the leaders also drew attention to the long-pending issue of tribal status for 11 Gorkha sub-tribes. The letter notes that while several Gorkha communities have been granted Scheduled Tribe status after due process, the exclusion of these 11 sub-tribes has resulted in social and constitutional inequity among closely related communities with shared histories, customs, and anthropological characteristics.
This demand for tribal recognition adds another layer to the complex socio-political landscape of the region, where identity and administrative rights are deeply intertwined.
Political Leaders Extend Welcome and Support
Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba welcomed Singh's visit, describing it as having "historic significance" and submitting a separate memorandum. BJP Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista from Darjeeling also met with the interlocutor and called for inclusive talks to address regional aspirations.
The engagement between central authorities and local leaders represents a renewed attempt to find a lasting solution to the Gorkhaland issue, which has seen multiple arrangements and assurances over time without resolving core concerns. The leaders' statement that "despite multiple arrangements and assurances over time, the core issues remain unresolved, leading to persistent uncertainty and alienation among the people" underscores the depth of the challenge facing the interlocutor.
As Pankaj Kumar Singh continues his consultations in Darjeeling, the clear articulation of demands from hill leaders sets the stage for what could be a pivotal dialogue about the future administrative structure of this strategically important region. The emphasis on constitutional processes and federal principles suggests a deliberate effort to frame the Gorkhaland demand within mainstream Indian political discourse rather than as a separatist movement.
