BGPM starts dharna against BJP’s unfulfilled promise of tribal status

DARJEELING, : Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) staged demonstrations today in front of the district magistrate and sub-divisional offices across the hills, denouncing the BJP-led Central government's failure to fulfil its promise of granting tribal status to the 11 Gorkha communities. The dharna will continue till February 14.

The BGPM also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through respective offices, reiterating the long-standing demand for inclusion of Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunuwar, Thami, Yakka (Dewan) and Dhimal communities in the Scheduled Tribes list under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution.

In the memorandum, the BGPM emphasized the urgent need for social and economic development among these ethnic groups, stressing their similarity in remoteness and backwardness to other scheduled tribes.  “With the arrival of your party in power in 2014, our people had great expectations that the new government would look at this demand positively but we have been waiting since then in vain. We, therefore, request your kind intervention in this regard so that social and economic justice is delivered to our Hill tribes,” said the memorandum.

Addressing the gathering outside the Darjeeling DM office, BGPM president Anit Thapa asserted that the BJP had failed to deliver on its promises despite garnering support from the hills in three consecutive terms. He highlighted the necessity of raising awareness among the people regarding the BJP's stance towards the Gorkhas to prevent further disillusionment.

Thapa clarified that while they held no grudge against Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, who had attempted to advocate for their cause, the BJP had turned a deaf ear to their pleas. He announced plans for similar protests at the gram panchayat level and a public meeting in the Terai region to educate the populace about the BJP’s broken promises.