Sangma bats for Gorkhaland in North Bengal
In what is said to be an attempt to spread the reach of National Peoples’ Party to West Bengal, its president and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma has advocated the formation of Gorkhaland in North Bengal.
Reminding the Centre that the Gorkhas too are rightful Indian citizens who deserve to have their own identity and Bas Bhoomi (homeland) Mr Sangma, in a letter written to union home minister Amit Shah on September 4, said, “Sir, you are aware of the long pending constitutional demand of the Gorkhas for a separate state of Gorkhaland.”
Flagging and justifying the demand of separate state, Mr Sangma said, “The Gorkhas have made India their home for a very long period. The contribution of Gorkhas towards India and their motherland has been immeasurable and they have made supreme sacrifices in protecting this beloved country.”
He also highlighted the contributions of Gorkha freedom fighter Durga Malla, members of constituent assembly Damber Singh and Ari Bahadur Gurung and Captain Ram Singh Thakuria, a prominent Gorkha freedom fighter and musician who composed the music of the inspiring National Anthem.
Pleading the Centre to offer an honourable and lasting political solution to the Gorkhas, the chief minister said, “As stated the Gorkhas have contributed immensely to the fabric of Indian society and as with other citizens of India, the Gorkhas too are rightful Indian citizens who deserve to have their own identity and Bas Bhoomi (homeland).”
He said, “The NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has passed several landmark decisions in the interest of people of this country. I urge your good office to kindly give a patient hearing to the legitimate demand of Gorkhas of North Bengal and offer an honourable and lasting political solution at the earliest.”
The letter was made public when the monsoon session of Parliament was in progress and there were growing demands by NDA allies in Darjeeling for finding a permanent political solution.
Meanwhile Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (Pratap Khati camp) has thanked Mr Sangma for extending his support to their long pending demands. Mr Sangma is the second chief minister to lend support to the Gorkhaland demand. When Mr Pawan Chamling was the Sikkim chief minister, he got a resolution adopted in the state Assembly on March 29, 2011, terming Gorkhaland as a genuine and legitimate demand of the people of the hills.