Showing posts with label BGP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BGP. Show all posts

MEETING ON ASSAM NRC WITH THE RGI OFFICE IN DELHI

9:31 PM
Writes Munish Tamang

This afternoon I (Munish Tamang), along with ShrI Nityanand Upadhyay (BGP Assam state president & member of Joint Action Committee on NRC), Shri Guman Limbu (Convenor, BGP Delhi), met the Additional Registrar General of India at the RGI office in New Delhi

We presented a detailed case on the problem faced by Gorkhas, particularly those in Jagun area under Margherita Constituency in Tinsukia, Assam.

The authorities have failed to provide legacy data to people of this area thus seriously compromising their status in the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam.

We had a detailed discussion and have been assured that immediate attention will be given to this important issue. We were also assured that the matter would be placed before the Supreme Court-appointed Judges Committee and also before Shri Hajela, the Supreme Court-appointed coordinator for NRC.
MEETING ON ASSAM NRC WITH THE RGI OFFICE IN DELHI

A memorandum jointly signed by Shri Nityanand Upadhyay and Shri D B Chhetry, IAS (retd), chief coordinator, Gorkha Joint Acton Committee on NRC, was submitted to the government officer.



Reaction against BGP's clarification on meeting with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh

10:48 PM
Following are the various Reaction against Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) official clarification via social media on meeting with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh.

Dinesh Sharma Youth Leader writes in response to BGP Not surprising to see ‘desperate’ BGP putting up its antics again. This elite bunch of intellectuals are masters of press releases sitting inside their AC chambers in Delhi and Darjeeling. Here are some incidents I can recall.

Manipur - Their intellectuals almost got the Gorkhas of Manipur in a dangerous situation when they declared cut-off dates for Manipur Gorkha during the ILP agitation. Later, when asked, they had no answers and blamed it on their state executives. But the press release bears the name of their leader in Delhi and Darjeeling, and not from Manipur. How ironical? And mind you, they never apologized for such a huge mistake, perhaps it was beneath their dignity to apologize to the common man.

Assam: A leader of this premium organization goes to Assam and says Assam should be called Bodolond instead, and that he would pray to be born as a Bodo. After being warned by AAGSU, they went back to their ‘dens’ without an apology again.

Delhi: Not a person or representative of this ELITE group is seen during any emergency situation in the capital region. A leader calls for a clarification meeting on why they were not present. An emergency situation does not need clarification, it needs concern.

Darjeeling – Nobody gives them a damn anymore there after their fickle political stand agenda.

Across India – Now, this attempt to derail the ST demand and push forward their agenda for OBC is anti-community. While they are so concerned about Gorkhas across India, it is disheartening to see that Mizoram, where the organization was initiated, still don’t have Gorkha community in OBC list. Still no apology.
So the natural question is, where are you heading next?
Reaction against BGP clarification on meeting with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh
Reaction against BGP clarification on meeting with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh
Jyoti Thapa - Author, Graphic Designer and Historian writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:

"In Delhi, there are many 'Gorkha' Organisations of various names and members who meet ministers projecting themselves as the representatives of the Gorkhas and 'Here Kind Sir, are our grievances and memorandum'. They represent you and me but I don't know them neither do you and most of all nobody has checked with me. The BGP's rebuttal letter is smoking with someone's seething anger. It writes of the questioning people as having 'erroneous and mischievous views ...erroneous, malicious and ill-conceived. ...individual fantasies and biased opinions...'. Why such accusations? The Gorkhas are a bunch of idiotic devils or what who know not what they do???? Every Gorkha is sensitive and as a race we are known to be hyper-sensitive. I am sure you meant well in your endeavour but the Gorkhas want an explanation...the simpler the better. The NE Gorkhas are no walk over and I see them as the strongest forces of the Gorkha community in the future".

Upendra - An Intellect writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:
This BGP cliarification is nothing but CYA (cover your ass)... their objectives may see, noble and honest, their intentions are suspect... Why are they meeting Central Ministers and demanding OBC status for Gorkhas at a time qhen the Central Govt has constituted a committee to examine ST status for all? Why NOW? Whose interest are they serving in assuming that the Central Govt move won't be welcome everywhere? Shouldn't they have waited till the Central Govt panel submitted their report?
BGP office bearers suffer from the foot in the mouth disease... they have earlier demanded, out of the blue, that 1971 census be taken into consideration while deciding Inner Line Permit qualifications for Manipur, thus jeopardizing the Gorkhalis living in Maniojr majority of whom were not allowd to register for voting/census etc till very recently. When questioned to clarify why they chose 1971 as cut off date, Mr. Munish Tamang who seems to know all the constitutional processes refused to anser, clarify or apologize.

Later same "all knowing" BGP "intellectuals" threatened the safety and security of Gorkhas in Assam by declaring in an eledtion rallh that all of Assam should be called Bodoland... such was the negativity associated with their irresponsible statement, that the All Assam Gorkha Students Union has told BGP "intellectuals" not to come to Assam and open their "all knowing" mouths in the future.
In BGP meeting various central Ministers and dmeqnding OBC instead of ST status for the Gorkhas, they are watering down our stand even before the process has begun, and their releasing of the statement reeking of "intellectual superiority" - that only we k ow rest don't, is the reason why BGP needs to either be disbanded or they should apologize to the greater Gorkhali community for working against the interest of the community.

Moreover, these predominantly around 50 year old male don't represent the Gorkha reality, nor does it represent the Gorkha aspirations, so a request to BGP please do not claim yourselves to be representative of all the Gorkhas - which you guys are not... as your representing yourself as such can influence Govt policies negatively...

Ranjana Pradhan Rai - An Educationist writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:

1. The domicile needs to be proven to claim the benefits of ST/ SC/ OBC status anyways whether at Centre/ State/ other levels.
2. Read between the lines: When you are an Indian Gorkha residing/ permanently settled in any of the States as per the Indian Constitution, All citizens have the Freedom to movement & Settlement within the Indian Jurisdiction. A citizen cannot claim benefits from multiple domicile status in a Social Strata.
3. The above point explains a Citizens Right to Claim benefits in multiple states compared to a Job Application in Union/ State government service where your ST/ SC/ OBC is claimed anyways as per domicile certificate. If any State government does mot recognize the Reservation Right, it can be rectified rather than leading to events impacting the Community at Large for personal interests. I myself have appeared for UPSE/ State Services Exams on General quota.
4. Will the ST/ SC status given to Indian Gorkhas be applicable to Gorkhas in other domicile states? Obviously, sort it out.
5. a. Is BGP a political party?
b. How is it Constituted as representative association?
c. Without our consent concerning Indian Gorkhas, how can BGP represent a political dialogue to fulfill it's ambition?
6. Indian Gorkha Citizens and Gorkha Associations are not living a Sissy Fantacy BGP. They are living in Blood & Slaughter!
7. Why BGP never published the points of Agenda for discussion and deliberation prior to their political dialogues with a Minister, that too concerning Indian Gorkhas of other States?
8. Forming mere associations does not lend you the right to claim decision making process for the Gorkhas.
9. If you were righteous, liaison with other Gorkha Association would have deliberation & strengthened a Collective Agenda including the point of domicile Rights on Reservation.
10. We don't know you as our leaders BGP. Even as Parisangh/ Council, you cannot work in isolation claiming leadership on our Community!
*******************

In high spirits I wrote these lines first time in Nepali,
Abo Chai Aayo Gorkhali!

(Pardon me for spelling mistakes please, those who can understand)
आबो चै आयो गोर्खाली।
याद गरौं आज द्वितीय विश्वयुद्ध को प्रहर मा बोस ले कसरी भारत को स्वतंत्रता संग्राम उद्देश्य लिएर हिटलर अथवा मुस्सलिनी संग साठ-गाठ गरी जापानी मिलिट्री को मदद ले नार्थईस्ट बाट भारत माँ धावा बोलेको थियो।
सम्भालिने समय आबो आयो साथी-भाई दीदी-बहिनी हरु,
हाम्रो बिबस्ता लाई लाचारी को चोगा न बनाऊँ,
हाम्रो सरल-विनम्रता को आचरण ले उन्नति को डोको भरौं।
कसरी निद्रा पुरौने? यो बिचार धारा बगी रहेछ त्यो निद्रा को सिरानो मा,
उच्चकोटि को व्यक्तित्व को खोज मा चली रहे छ यो यात्रा असफल,
आई दिनोस सबै जनसमृद्ध एक स्वर सादि दिउँ यो मधुर रचना को पहल मा,
यो हाथ बटाउँ नाता पनी थियो भनेर।
आखिर यो माटो नै त हो हामी?
आकृति कसको लिने भने त्यों रचना खोझुं-बोझों।
म् त कस्तूरी को खोज समझी रहे थे आज सम्म,
यो चमेली को गंध ले सन्तोष न पाउने छन्।
- रंजन प्रधान राई।

Prem Chhetri, Advocate in Supreme Court writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:-
Hon'ble President BGP,
The reply show itself that you are trying to explain Gorkhas that BGP is only representative of Gorkhas and only BGP know about Law and other Gorkhas are ignorant...
Let's talk point to point
1. If List of ST is State/UT specific them why your body meet with Central Minister and not with State Chief Minister for such demand.
2. UT is governed by President with consultation of UNION hence don't say this is State/UT specific.
3. Whether BGP know that President may with respect to any State or UT by public notification specify the Tribes and tribal community. And Parliament by law include and exclude from list of ST specified in notification issued any tribe or tribal community as part of group.
4. BGP should know that it is Union Cabinet chaired by PM gives approval for introduction of Bill in order to modify list of ST in respect to state or UT so don't give wrong interpretation that ST is State/UT specific.
5. Recently Union cabinet introduced Bill to amend Constitution (SC ) Order 1950 and passed by Both house RS on 24.02.2016 to introduce certain community in list.
6. It is correct that one declared ST in state need not to be in another State/UT because of their inhabitance however that list of State/UT is prepare by Union under Article 342 of Constitution of India. Moreover List of ST passed by Union get benefits in all Centre Govt. Job, Schemes, Appointment, post etc.
7. Article 335 talks about reservation in matter of appointment post with affairs of Union which includes UPSC, EC, CAG, ETC.
8. Under article 338 President of India appoint special officer for welfare of SC and ST
9. Under Article 338A, National Commission for SC and ST established to look welfare of SC and ST in entire Nation.
10. Under Article 350A, President may issue such directions to any state for securing facility to ST.
11. BGP must know that Central Govt. drafted National Policy in 1999 regarding issue and welfare of ST in entire Nation and thereafter Union Gov't. established Ministry of Tribal Affairs for development of ST.
13. It is Union Gov't. who has power to include and exclude certain community in ST list hence don't fool us by saying it is State/UT specific. State/UT has no independent power to include and exclude list of ST.
14. BGP ingnores constitutional provisions and don't say others ignores it.
15. Take classic examples....Mina community belongs to Rajasthan is declared ST by Union Gov't. and thereafter they are getting all privileges in all Union Gov't. Job, appointment. Even Delhi Police gives reservations in ST. Even there is reservations in DDA scheme.
So don't fool us that demand is for only State and does not give privileges to others.
16. SC/ ST is always SC/ST whether HE is residing in One state or other. Have you ever heard that particular SC/ST has been denied privileges because he belongs to other state.
17. BGP should introspect and come out will clear vision. And act for the community at ground level.
18. Under article 342 it is Parliament passed Bill for inclusion or exclusion of ST in list hence State has no role to play. State can best recommend their list. That's why PM Modi declare to grant ST status to Gorkha and he already initiated for it. So whether State want or not, it is Parliament who has right to include Gorkha in ST list.
19. Those who are demanding OBC status are blackship to Gorkha Community. They deserves to social boycott. They are not our Representative.
20. BGP must know that status of OBC is different from place to place as per their status in said society/State hence it is foolish to compare status of OBC with ST.
21. BGP betrayed us demanding OBC status to Gorkhas with Hon'ble Minister Jitender Singh while Union Govt considering to give ST status to all Gorkhas.
22. Who is Parishang to demand different status to Gorkha residing in different status. By doing this, BGP is dividing all Gorkha into different groups which is clearly demonstrated in their clarification no. 4.
23. Is this hidden agenda of GBP to divide all Gorkha into different Groups.
24. Is this hidden agenda of BGP divide our voices in different groups.
25. Does not this divide policy will hamper demand of Gorkhaland.


Via GYASA

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh's letter to Jual Oram Minister for Tribal Affairs

5:54 PM
Shri Jual Oram
Hon’ble Minister for Tribal Affairs
Government of India
New Delhi

Tribal Status for categories within Gorkha/Nepali-speaking community

Respected Sir
Some tribes belonging to the Gorkha/Nepali community have already been granted Scheduled Tribe status. These include Kagatay, Yolmo, Sherpa, Lepcha, Tamang and Limbu tribes. Similarly, the government has recognized Kami, Damai and Sarki communities of the Gorkhas as Scheduled Castes.

There are many other categories within the Gorkha community. We request you to kindly take up the case of including all of them under the status of Scheduled Tribe or Scheduled Caste, as the case may be. We also request you to include these, as well as the already recognized ST/SC communities in various states of India, under the Central list of such categories.

We would like to respectfully reiterate here that the Nepali-speaking Gorkha community consists of ethnicities that are tribal by nature and have their own unique tribal languages, dialects, culture, traditions and history.

We hope, Sir, that you will take up the cause of the ethnic communities within the Gorkhas who have not been granted ST/SC status as soon as possible and help them access development measures that they desperate need to progress as a community.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully

Sukhman Moktan
President, Bhartiya Gorkha Parisangh






Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh statement on meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh

5:35 PM
STATEMENT OF THE BHARATIYA GORKHA PARISANGH REGARDING THE MEETING IT HAD WITH DONER MINISTER DR JITENDRA SINGH

With reference to the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh’s meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Development of Northeast Region (DONER), and the reports on the meeting as carried by various national newspapers, including The Hindustan Times of News Delhi, The Hindu of Chennai and The Tribune of Chandigarh, certain erroneous and mischievous views are being circulated regarding the objectives of the Parisangh’s meeting. We are clarifying some points here.

1. The granting of Schedule Tribe status is state-specific. (According to the Union Tribal Ministry website: “The list of Scheduled Tribes is State/UT specific and a community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State/UT.” http://tribal.nic.in/Con.../IntroductionScheduledTribes.aspx )

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh logo
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh logo
This clearly means that the demand for ST status in by the Sikkim Chief Minister and by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will pertain only to Gorkhas in Sikkim and West Bengal, and will not automatically extend to Gorkhas living in other states of India. Therefore, to infer that Parisangh’s meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh jeopardizes the move to have ST status for Gorkhas across India ignores these constitutional provisions and is based on ill understanding of such provisions. Any suggestion that Parisangh is being used to throw a spanner in the demands arising out of Sikkim and Darjeeling is erroneous, malicious and ill-conceived.

2. The demand for OBC status for Gorkhas in the Northeast is entirely in the context of the Parisangh’s meeting with the DONER minister and not any other Union ministry. When ST status for Gorkhas in Northeast states was broached to the minister, Dr Jitendra Singh said there were pending issues about OBC status for Gorkhas in these states. The Parisangh said that the demand for OBC was an old one, and it wanted ST status for Gorkhas there. However, since the issues discussed pertained only to Gorkhas in the Northeast and not to Gorkhas in general across India, the Parisangh told the minister that it knew that because the entire Northeast region was a complex interplay of tribal affiliations, various state governments and the policymakers of the Northeast were reluctant to accord TRIBAL STATUS to Gorkhas. An example is Mizoram, where the Home Department has suggest OBC status for the Gorkhas, but the state cabinet has been reluctant to accord even OBC status, deciding instead to hold a new census of Gorkhas in the state. Since ST status may not be forthcoming for some time, the best alternative for Gorkhas to derive policy benefits in the region is through recognition as OBC.

3. Even OBC status is state-specific. Gorkhas, for instance, are OBCs in Uttarakhand but their OBC status does not confer similar status to Gorkhas in other Indian States nor to all Gorkhas at the Central level. The Parisangh, in its meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh, requested that he use his influence to have the Central Government extend the OBC status, in addition to ST/SC, given to Gorkhas in certain Northeast and other Indian states to the Central level, so that Gorkhas can still derive economic and development benefits of the Central Government.

4. The letter of the Parisangh, attached with this statement, to Union Tribal Welfare Minister Jual Oram clearly proves that the only pan-India social organization of the Gorkhas wants Scheduled Tribe status for all categories of Gorkhas across India. In fact, a resolution passed in the 3rd Mahaadhiveshan of the Parisangh in 2012 called for the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh to contact the authorities to confer special category statuses, including Schedule Tribes, Schedule Caste and OBC, wherever best applicable so that the Gorkhas are not left out of the development processes of the various states in which they are resident. The Parisangh is committed to ensuring that Gorkhas across India has access to whatever benefits the Constitution can accord under various provisions, whether they by ST, SC, OBC or other social categorizations.

5. It is a journalistic practice to contact the person/persons/organization about whom the journalist is writing something. When office bearers are unavailable to clarify points that may seem inadequate, the article normally mentions the fact that no one answered the journalist’s queries. It is, therefore, against journalistic practices to assume and infer malicious motives without having tried to ascertain the facts from the organization named. No one bothered to contact the Parisangh office bearers to seek their clarification, so the Parisangh rejects such articles as individual fantasies and biased opinions.

Sukhman Moktan
President, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh.


Who is Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Batting For? Why are they demanding OBC status for Gorkhas?

12:19 PM
The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) which claims to be the "apex body of Gorkhas in India" seems to be trying to undo all the good work done by the Govt of Sikkim and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) who have pushed for all the Gorkhas to be recognized as Scheduled Tribes.

In a meeting with the DoNER Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, they have demanded once again that Gorkhas be included under OBC and not ST. Here is a report from the national daily The Hindu [details: http://bit.ly/1OkhO5n]

"The Gorkhas have urged the central government to give “Other Backward Class” status to the community, an official statement said on Sunday. A delegation of the community leaders and members from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Uttarakhand made the demand when they met union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and PMO Jitendra Singh here on Saturday.
BGP delegation to MoS DoNER
According to the release here, the minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation led by Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha president S.M. Moktan. The Parisangha is a national organisation of Gorkhas in the country, the release said. Prominent among the delegationwere V.B. Thupu from Uttar Pradesh, D.C. Poudiyal and P.P. Pradhan from West Bengal, Guman Bhoj Limbo from New Delhi, Jagannath Koirala from Meghalaya and Bhupendra Adhikari from Uttarakhand." This is the 2nd time that BGP has sent representation to Union Ministers, earlier it was to MoS Home Kiren Rijju demanding OBC status for Gorkhas.

Currently the Central Govt has formed a committee to examine the inclusion of all the Gorkha communities as ST, where as BGP is repeatedly pushing for OBC status, thus we wonder whose interest is BGP serving?

Are they getting funded by anti-Gorkha political parties to push for such an absurd demand during such a critical time?


Via GYASA




AAGSU, AGS and BGP delegates met NRC coordinator for non OI for Gorkhas issue

8:46 PM
8th June Assam: A team of All Assam Gorkha Students Union (AAGSU), Asom Gorkha Sammelan (AGS) and Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) delegates today met state coordinator of NRC honorable Prateek Hajela and discussed about the burning issue of NRC regarding OI and non OI for Gorkhas. The  delegation also met the honorable chief minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and discussed various problems of Assamese Gorkhas.

On 4th May in came to the notice that OI will not be written for ‪‎Gorkhas‬ in the final National Register of Citizens - (NRC) card in Assam even if they have submitted documents of 1951.

AAGSU, AGS and BGP delegates NRC coordinator non OI for Gorkhas
AAGSU, AGS and BGP delegates NRC coordinator non OI for Gorkhas
Delegation also met the honorable chief minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
Delegation also met the honorable chief minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal


Source The Gorkha Times


Apolitical Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh takes up Gorkhaland statehood demand

Darjeeling, 17 May 2016: The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, an apolitical organisation of the Gorkha community, today lamented without taking names that lack of political acumen and a proper blueprint and road-map were the reasons for the failure in achieving a Gorkhaland state.

Ever since its formation, the Parisangh has chose to focus on addressing social issues concerning the community living in the hills and other parts of the state. This is the first instance that the BGP has voiced its opinion on the statehood issue even though it was one of the constituents of the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee set up in 2013 by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to take forward the statehood demand.

The GJAC comprised eight political parties including the BGP and the GJM, but it was disbanded after a few months the same year over differences within the members. BGP national president Sukh Man Moktan did not point fingers but his reference to the GJM was obvious by his statement. “There are many political parties that are demanding a separate state. That is okay as we do want a place that we can call our own. However, it is also true that these parties have failed to chalk out a proper roadmap and blueprint because of which our aspiration has remained unfulfilled even after all these years,” he said.
Apolitical Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh takes up Gorkhaland statehood demand
Apolitical Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh takes up Gorkhaland statehood demand
Citing examples, the Parisangh president said there was no clarity on the demarcation of the areas that needed to be in the proposed state or the number of districts it would encompass. He also said there was uncertainty over the number of legislators that were required or Zilla Parishads. “These are important factors when a demand for a separate state is taken up in Delhi and in Kolkata. But sadly this has been overlooked,” Moktan said.

When reminded of Bengal’s opposition and assertion that the state would never be divided, the BGP president said, “Bengal is against the statehood demand, no doubt. But we must try and convince it with the support of its people. It is important to form support groups in Kolkata and in Delhi that will pursue and talk to the governments in our favour.”

Moktan said that to lend weight and seriousness to the statehood demand, all political parties in the hills should be approached to form a centralised and streamlined movement. “There has to be a common platform for parties to take up the statehood demand. We must approach all likeminded people and organisations and only then will our demand become a reality,” said the Parisangh’s national president.

Speaking on the issue of the inclusion of the Dooars and Terai in the proposed area of a Gorkhaland state, Moktan said, “Many feel that parts of the Dooars and Terrai should also be included in the proposed area but it must be remembered that communities other than Gorkhas also reside there and their opinion and views are important.

They (non-Gorkha communities) must come forward and support the demand, and for this a strategy must be worked out.”

Coming September, the Parisangh has plans to lead a delegation of leaders from various political parties in the hills, Gorkha celebrities from the region and other states, and also try and persuade Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling to speak in support of the statehood demand in Delhi.


Via: EOIC

BGP delegation met Cabinet Minister Kiren Rijiju for separate state for Indian Gorkhas

11:12 PM
A delegation of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), lead by its president Sukhman Moktan, had a meeting with Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi today, March 7, 2016. The BGP discussed various issues related to India's Gorkhas with the minister, the primary of them being the creation of a separate state.

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, a Indian Gorkha Confederation and a non-government national-level Indian Gorkhas organization  has identified six issues of the Indian Gorkhas to be resolved at the national level:

  1. Creation of a separate state for the Gorkhas of India
  2. Identification of the problems of tea garden and cinchona plantation in Darjeeling-Dooars as a national problem
  3. Addressing the sense of insecurity and uncertainty in the minds of Gorkhas of Northeast India
  4. Commissioning of a Doordarshan channel dedicated to the Nepali-speaking Gorkhas
  5. Accessing for Gorkhas all social benefits under Constitutional provisions like SC, ST, OBC, etc., in all parts of India and nomination of Gorkhas to public and government bodies
  6. Recognition of Gorkhas as a linguistic minority community


Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) also discussed about the protection of civil and political rights of Gorkhas in the Northeast, the rights of tea garden workers in Darjeeling and Dooars, a Doordarshan channel in the Nepali language and the granting of Central OBC status to Gorkhas across India.
BGP delegation met Cabinet Minister Kiren Rijiju for separate state
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh delegation met Cabinet Minister

Via Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh

BGP writes to Home Ministry to stop eviction of Gorkhas by ILP activists in Manipur

10:30 AM
August 25, 2015: Disturbed by reports that Gorkhas of Manipur were being forced to leave their homes by activists agitating for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the state, the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh has written to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, seeking protection for the Gorkhas from forceful eviction.

The Inner Line Permit system, if adopted by the Manipur legislative assembly, will require outsiders to acquire government permission to enter and stay in the state. The activists demanding the IPL system are wrongly describing the state’s Gorkhas as “outsiders”.

Rev Dr Enos Das Pradhan, national president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, rued that on a day when the Gorkhas across India celebrated Balidan Diwas to commemorate the day when Major Durga Malla had died as a freedom fighter at the hands of the British in 1944, there was news that Gorkhas were facing atrocities in Manipur.
The letter to Shri Kiren Rijiju emphasised that there while the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh had no objection to the introduction of the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, the cutoff date for identifying outsiders should be 1972, when the state had been formed.

Gorkhas were not outsiders in the state, stated Rev Dr Pradhan. “There is enough evidence to show that Gorkhas had been living in Manipur long before it was created and yet are facing a threat to their lives and properties.” He requested the Union Home Ministry to take immediate steps to stop any forceful eviction of Gorkhas from Manipur.

The National Working Committee of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, which met in Siliguri on August 22, has decided to send an enquiry committee comprising Shri Sukhman Moktan, Shri R. Moktan, Shri Munish Tamang and Shri Bhupendra Adhikari to Manipur to interact with the leadership of the Joint Action Committee that is spearheading the agitation for the ILP. They will apprise the Joint Action Committee of the need to recognise the rights of Gorkhas who have been living in Manipur from a time before it became a state in 1972.
A delegation is also likely to meet Shri Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi shortly to discuss the issue of Gorkhas in Manipur vis a vis the ILP.

Source- kalimpongonlinenews

Truth Behind Politically non-Political Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh

2:51 PM
Writes Upendra for The Darjeeling Chronicle
Established in 2001, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh had the potential to be a major force of change within in the Gorkhali society, while also becoming the platform for uniting Gorkhalis all over India under one umbrella organization.
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) logo
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) logo
Sadly, their office bearers have jeopardized that pious agenda, perhaps due to their own political ambitions, so much so that today BGP is a name which is uttered with or followed by a cringe, amongst the political observers.
Here is the reason why
Since their inception, one of the major contributions of BGP to our community has been the erection of Shaheed Durga Malla’s statue on the grounds of our Parliament [Details: http://bit.ly/1MBENqh], thus cementing the Gorkhali contribution towards India’s freedom struggle forever. This was a major achievement of an organization which drew to it members from all over India. BGP branches opened up in Sikkim, Delhi, Assam, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, making it truly a national level platform for voicing issues relating to the Gorkhali community.
POLITICAL AMBITIONS
Perhaps that is what led to the BGP bosses harbouring political ambitions. Perhaps that is when the BGP bosses forgot that their’s was a non-Political organization.
BGP started off as a socio-political group that would highlight and voice the social and political concerns of Gorhalis in India.
When Gorkhaland andolan re-started in 2013 and GJM called for all the “political parties” to form a joint forum, BGP also joined as one of the “parties” constituting the Joint Forum, I guess that is when the downfall of BGP truly began.
In my opinion, BGP being a national level body of the Gorkhas had no business in involving itself with a “joint forum” which was meant to contain political parties. BGP I think should have remained over and above the “joint forum,” as that particular forum was formed to raise the Gorkhakand issue, which even though emotionally related to all the Gorkhas in India, BGP by its very mandate should not have confined itself to the issue of Gorkhaland alone. There are many issues across India that confronts the Gorkhalis, and Gorkhaland happens to be just one of the many such issues, hence BGP could have chosen to support Gorkhaland while remaining uninvolved in the “join forum” deliberations. But that didn’t happen.
The unsuccessful “joint forum” experiment failed miserably, when you have too many political interests clashing it was bound to fail, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of everyone involved. The outcome of “joint forum” was mistrust, doubt and suspicion against each other amongst Darjeeling’s political parties, and sadly that included BGP.
BGP after that stint stopped being a non-Political national level entity, people started to view them as another Political group in the fry.
JAN AAWAZ
Towards the end of 2013 Gorkhaland andolan, one of the well known leaders from BGP Mr. Munish Tamang along with senior journalist Mr. Joel Rai etc went on to form a group called Jan Aawaz, based out of Delhi. I am not very clean on the agenda or orientation of Jan Aawaz, but even they joined the cry for Gorkhaland from Delhi and along with BGP held a Dharna and Protest in Delhi in support of Gorkhaland statehood.
It was only when 2014 elections came around; that I realized that perhaps Jan Aawaz was meant to be the political arm of the BGP, as almost everyone involved with Jan Aawaz was also associated with BGP. Mr. Munish Tamang the leader of Jan Aawaz travelled extensively and had even addressed a Jan Aawaz rally in Darjeeling, prior to the 2014 MP Elections.
2014 MP ELECTIONS
In 2014 MP elections BGP extended support to Dr. Mahendra P Lama, that is when BGP openly transformed into a political entity [Details:http://bit.ly/1NDQz0o and http://bit.ly/1NiJjKg].
For a body claiming to represent the national interest of Gorkhalis in India, by deciding to support Dr. Lama openly BGP had gone on to antagonize the majority Gorkhas of Darjeeling who supported and continue to support GJM.
Anyone with any inclination towards politics understands that keeping a non-Political group out of the purview of electoral politics is one of the most important criterion for maintaining its neutrality. In supporting Dr. M P Lama the BGP leaders may have been doing the right thing, but it sounded the death knell for BGP as an organization.
Connecting political dots becomes is a dicey job as it becomes difficult to connect the interests and orientations of various groups that tend to emerge every once in a while. So when Jan Aawaz died a convenient death of sorts (no action) after the 2014 MP elections, I was more than convinced that it was another failed experiment on the part of some of the BGP leaders to head into politics.
Following the defeat of Dr. MP Lama voices of dissent were heard from within BGP rank and file against the political stand taken BGP central leadership and the decision to support Dr. Lama by Dr. Enos Das Pradhan.
Unhappy with the development Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Working President C P Giri and National Vice President Arun Upadhyay accused BGP Executive President Rev Dr. Enos Das Pradhan and a few central committee members of subverting the political neutrality of BGP [Details:http://bit.ly/1J2Gc2Y].
Cornered BGP claimed that the support was extended at a “personal capacity” and not on an organization basis. Which as the facts so, is untrue [Details: http://bit.ly/1NiJjKg].
BGP which started as a non-Political group had gone on to become a politically active group which was anti-GJM. I am not a fan of GJM myself, but for a non-Political group which “claims” to represent all the Gorkhas from India, to take such a hard stand against GJM was stupid. If integration of all the Gorkhalis is/was BGP’s actual ambition and aspiration, then there was no reason for them to cut off a major Gorkha group like GJM.
SUPPORT TO GNLF
The final nail in the coffin for BGP as far as I am concerned, came after Mr. Mann Ghising took charge of GNLF, following the death of late Subash Ghising. As GNLF was trying to regroup, BGP national spokesperson Mr. R Moktan stated that “BGP would provide “documentary support” to GNLF if it decides to pursue 6th Schedule status for the Darjeeling region” [Details: http://bit.ly/1JpzucW].
This again led to another round of outrage from BGP insiders, to which once again Dr. Enos Das Pradhan responded that it was Mr. R Moktan’s personal decision and not that of BGP [Details: http://bit.ly/1gVCZL8].
Do you see a pattern? I do
BGP leaders support a political group, and when pointed out they claim it was a “personal decision” as an excuse.
BGP which was once a ray of hope that could have gone on to become the strongest lobby group for the Gorkhalis in India, has today lost its direction, sense of purpose and apolitical nature.
YOUTHS SHOULD KNOW
I was forced to write this longish editorial as apparently BGP is trying to recruit new people into their fold and targeting the youths as potential recruiting base. I wouldn’t worry otherwise, but since 2016 elections are around the corner, I have every reason to suspect the timing of their current attempts. Our people, especially the youth have a right to know what has happened with BGP so far, so that they can make an informed decision.
I honestly think that, it is time to for people associated with BGP to realize that they cannot continue to do politics in the guise of a non-Political entity.
Stop pretending!! Is what I am trying to say... and if you guys cannot do that, please stop making trying to fool the people... come clean on your agendas, priorities and political leanings...
फेरी it was कुन्निकोसको “personal decision” चै न भन्नु होला पछि गएर
Is someone listening?

Originally posted here http://on.fb.me/1USt1cr

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Writes to PM on Gurgaon brutal assault Case

8:45 AM
Making public their outrage, the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) Official has written to the PMO India Shri. Narendra Modi and the Home Minister Shri. Rajnath Singh demanding immediate and strict action against the culprits associated with the Gurgaon case, as well as the officer who allegedly called a protesting Gorkhali cheli "Dhandewali - prostitute"
Speaking to the press, BGP Spokesperson Mr. R Moktan stated that "we are thankful to all the individuals and organizations, especially those from the North East who have stood with us during our time of need."

He further sated that the BGP has demanded the protection of Gorkhas and people from North East to the PM and the Home Minister.
In a surprising statement, they thanked Tejpur MP R P Sharma for the steps he has taken [of which we are not aware] and decried the lack of sensitivity shown by Darjeeling MP SS Ahluwalia in this case.

Via - The DC

Sahidi divas of Capt Dal Bahadur Thapa observed

1:13 PM
Sahidi divas to commemorate the sacrifice of Sahid Capt Dal Bahadur Thapa for the freedom of our country was held with great fervor under the aegis of Rajya Nepali Bhasha samittee Uttarakhand on 03 May 15 at Sahid Maj Durga Mall park. The chief guest was Sh Ashok Verma, President OBC Uttarakhand with attendance of Sh Ranjit Verma, former MLA, and Sh Guru Prasad Ranakoti, Senior Professor in the Directorate of NCERT Uttarakhand as guests of honor. A large numbers of audience of Gorkha community, prominent among them being Brig P S Gurung (retd), Lt Col B S Chhettri, president Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha, Lt Col D S Khadka, president Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Uttarakhand, Maj B P Thapa, Sh Suraj Rai , Gen Secretary BGP UK, were present in the function.

Students from the Carnival School Garhi sang a patriotic song and gave dance performance on this occasion. Sh Shiv Lal Ale gave out the life history and  act of valor for the attainment of independence of Sahid Capt Dal Bahadur Thapa, Miss Komal Gurung composed a poem on the recent tragedy in Nepal and recited the same to the audience.  The chief guest in his speech heralded the organizers to organize this fuction in the memory of the Sahid. Sh Guru Prasad Ranakoti laid emphasis on remembrance of our sahids and that they should never be forgotten. Our young generation should embibe from the sacrifices of our Sahids. He also said that the Gorkhali language should be included in the schools as subject for which we need to struggle and consistently approach the state government. We must pursue our demand for the construction of Sahid gates on all entry point of Dehra Dun.

At the end, Sh Shiv Lal Ale read out the demand of erecting a Sahid Capt Dal Bahadur Thapa dwar at the entry point of the road presently existing on his name in Garhi Cantt. The demand is addressed to the Cantonment Board Dehra Dun.

President BGP UK

Source: gorkhaparisanghuttarakhand.wordpress.com

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Reacts to MP SS Ahluwalia's Speech in the Parliament

7:11 PM
'The Official Statement of the (BGP) Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh on the Parliament address by Darjeeling MP SS Ahluwalia on March 17.
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Reacts to MP SS Ahluwalia's Speech in the Parliament
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Reacts to MP Speech in the Parliament
The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh would like to applaud Shri SS Ahluwalia, member of Parliament representing Darjeeling Constituency, for his short speech in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday during the debate on the Union Budget in which he referred to some among the many issues confronting the Gorkhas of India. We appreciate the fact that Shri Ahluwalia cited the aspirations of the people of Darjeeling and Dooars and apprised the House about their economic and developmental problems. He rightly pointed out that West Bengal has treated the people of Darjeeling and Dooars as second-class citizens despite two agreements being signed to create the DGHC (Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council) and the GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration).

Having said that, the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh would, however, like to point out that Shri Ahluwalia seems to have diminished the entire Gorkha aspirations for a separate state into an issue of local development. His speech referred to areas in his constituency like Chopra and Phansidewa and Sevoke Road and to matters of development like smart corridors and educational institutions and other benefits that were “promised during the formation of GTA”. In talking about these matters as being the main problem of the Gorkhas, Shri Ahluwalia seems to clearly think that changing the economic status of Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Dooars would resolve all issues about which the Gorkhas of India have been agitating since 1907.

The real truth behind the demand for Gorkhaland lies not in the economic status of the people of Darjeeling and Dooars, but in the insecurity that Gorkhas across India feel about their national identity and political existence. Resolving the economic issues raised by Shri Ahluwalia in his speech would meet the problems only half-way, and that too only for the Gorkhas living in Darjeeling and Dooars.

He failed to enunciate the real issue, which is of the Gorkhas being discriminated as citizens -- politically, socially and economically -- in other states of India on the erroneous ground that they are foreigners from Nepal who have entered India under the provisions of the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Friendship. While he rightly recalled the contributions of Gorkhas in defending India, even eloquently quoting Lata Mangeshkar, he failed to tell the country and the members of Parliament that these very same Gorkhas are treated as foreigners in their own country. The foundation of the demand of Gorkhaland is the need to concretise the Indian identity of Gorkhas, not economic deprivation as made out by Shri Ahluwalia in the Lok Sabha.
The honourable member of Parliament also requested the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to set up a committee to examine the long-pending demands of the region. The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh feels that the Central Government is well aware of all the nuances of the demand of the Gorkhas for a separate state, having been petitioned hundreds of times since 1907. There is no need for any panel to evaluate the problems of Darjeeling and Dooars. Rather, what is emphatically needed is Parliament’s support in setting up a Constitutional commission to determine the bifurcation, under Article 3 of the Constitution, of West Bengal and the creation of a new state comprising the Darjeeling-Dooars region.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh urges Shri Ahluwalia to take all steps to ensure that he represents the true sentiments of the Gorkhas and their demand in Parliament, keeping in mind that the biggest driver of his election from Darjeeling by a massive margin in 2014 was the hope that he would be an able spokesperson for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland, which is the only democratic measure that can resolve the identity and political insecurity of India’s Gorkhas.

Rev Dr Enos Das Pradhan, National President, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh.'
DarjeelingTimes.com - Darjeeling News
The Official Statement of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh on the Parliament address by Darjeeling MP SS Ahluwalia on March 17.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh would like to applaud Shri SS Ahluwalia, member of Parliament representing Darjeeling Constituency, for his short speech in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday during the debate on the Union Budget in which he referred to some among the many issues confronting the Gorkhas of India. We appreciate the fact that Shri Ahluwalia cited the aspirations of the people of Darjeeling and Dooars and apprised the House about their economic and developmental problems. He rightly pointed out that West Bengal has treated the people of Darjeeling and Dooars as second-class citizens despite two agreements being signed to create the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

Having said that, the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh would, however, like to point out that Shri Ahluwalia seems to have diminished the entire Gorkha aspirations for a separate state into an issue of local development. His speech referred to areas in his constituency like Chopra and Phansidewa and Sevoke Road and to matters of development like smart corridors and educational institutions and other benefits that were “promised during the formation of GTA”. In talking about these matters as being the main problem of the Gorkhas, Shri Ahluwalia seems to clearly think that changing the economic status of Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Dooars would resolve all issues about which the Gorkhas of India have been agitating since 1907.

The real truth behind the demand for Gorkhaland lies not in the economic status of the people of Darjeeling and Dooars, but in the insecurity that Gorkhas across India feel about their national identity and political existence. Resolving the economic issues raised by Shri Ahluwalia in his speech would meet the problems only half-way, and that too only for the Gorkhas living in Darjeeling and Dooars.

He failed to enunciate the real issue, which is of the Gorkhas being discriminated as citizens -- politically, socially and economically -- in other states of India on the erroneous ground that they are foreigners from Nepal who have entered India under the provisions of the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Friendship. While he rightly recalled the contributions of Gorkhas in defending India, even eloquently quoting Lata Mangeshkar, he failed to tell the country and the members of Parliament that these very same Gorkhas are treated as foreigners in their own country. The foundation of the demand of Gorkhaland is the need to concretise the Indian identity of Gorkhas, not economic deprivation as made out by Shri Ahluwalia in the Lok Sabha.
The honourable member of Parliament also requested the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to set up a committee to examine the long-pending demands of the region. The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh feels that the Central Government is well aware of all the nuances of the demand of the Gorkhas for a separate state, having been petitioned hundreds of times since 1907. There is no need for any panel to evaluate the problems of Darjeeling and Dooars. Rather, what is emphatically needed is Parliament’s support in setting up a Constitutional commission to determine the bifurcation, under Article 3 of the Constitution, of West Bengal and the creation of a new state comprising the Darjeeling-Dooars region.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh urges Shri Ahluwalia to take all steps to ensure that he represents the true sentiments of the Gorkhas and their demand in Parliament, keeping in mind that the biggest driver of his election from Darjeeling by a massive margin in 2014 was the hope that he would be an able spokesperson for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland, which is the only democratic measure that can resolve the identity and political insecurity of India’s Gorkhas.

Rev Dr Enos Das Pradhan, National President, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh.

Source: TheDC

Bengal AGAIN Hints at CAG Audit of GTA Funds as GJM goes Gorkhaland way

7:40 PM
Mamta Banerjee threatens to conduct CAG Audit of GTA funds as GJM sits on Dharna for Gorkhaland in Jantar Mantar Delhi. Since then, the CAG Audit of GTA Funds has been taken seriously by the people in the social medias. However, similar threat was given by the State government on December 2014 after the Lok Sabha election which never took place.

Bengal AGAIN Hints at CAG Audit of GTA Funds as GJM goes Gorkhaland way
Joint poll organized by TheDC and Darjeeling Times
TheDC and Darjeeling Times went a step forward and conducted an online poll where 89% - Overwhelming Majority Support CAG Audit of GTA Funds.

BGP (Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh) President and opposition leader Dr. Rev Enos Das Pradhan made a very important point, when he questioned the motives of the state government, he writes, “In Chaper V, Clause 55 and under sub-section 9 it is mandatory that the GTA account shall be audited by the CAG. The question here arises as to why the State Government has not conducted the CAG audit of GTA accounts for 2012-13 and 2013-14 as yet. Who is responsible for this delay?”

People want the CAG Audit done, but they do not want it to be used by Mamata as a political tool to browbeat the opposition into silence. Rather people in Darjeeling are demanding CAG audit of GTA funds to ensure transparency, accountability and proper utilization of public funds.

With inputs from TheDC

BGP Call for Gorkhas Across India to Unite

9:32 AM
The 3-day national symposium organized by the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) has brought together Gorkhali thinkers from all across India to Mirik. And all of them agree to one basic fact – formation of Gorkhaland statehood is a must, to address the ‘identity crisis’ faced by the Gorkhalis in India.
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP)
The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP)

Highlighting the fact that Gorkhalis in Uttar Pradesh do not get any facilities, Shri. Prem Kishan (Shyam) Bora (Buda) UP General Secretary of BGP stated that no government in UP has done anything for the Gorkhas till date. He said that there are over 10 Lakh Gorkhalis living in various districts of UP, but the government has not done anything to help them raise their standard of living. He stressed that formation of Gorkhaland was important not only for the people of Darjeeling, but also for the Gorkhalis living across India.

Speaking at the occasion, Assam State President Shri. Nityananda Upadhyay said that the future of the Gorkhas are still insecure in the entire North-East. He said that even though the Assam government has formed a Gorkha Development Council and have included Gorkhas as OBCs, but despite this the Gorkhas all over north-east are termed ‘immigrants’ and there are many organizations in NE that have continued to harass the Gorkhas.

He further said that, in Assam the Gorkhas are progressing very fine in all aspects of social development, but every once in a while political complications crop up making life difficult for them. He said the only way to overcome this is to stand united in Assam and across India, and to work towards the formation of Gorkhaland statehood. He said that all the Gorkhas in North-East India NEED Gorkhaland to be formed for their political identity to be protected.

Addressing the gathering BGP National General Secretary Shri. Bhupendra Adhikari said that Gorkhaland can only be attained through intellectual and technical rigour, and added that BGP is working towards this goal. He said that the name ‘Gorkhaland’ is not only associated with the Darjeeling region, but also with the identity of all the Gorkhalis across India, hence this name needs to be retained and any attempts to change this name should be resisted.

Source: The Darjeeling Chronicle

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh denies support for the 6th Schedule

12:11 AM
BGP (Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh), denying that they would support GNLF if they pursued sixth Schedule, made it clear that the Parisangh remains unchanged in its view that only a separate state would solve the identity crisis of the Gorkhas scattered in India.
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) logo
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) logo
Speaking at a press conference BGP Nation Spokesperson, R. Moktan, had credited Late. Subash Ghising as being the person who was responsible for demanding ‘Gorkhaland’ statehood for the Indian Gorkhas, and thus proposed to provide documentary support to GNLF if they pursued the 6th Schedule status. Read Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh to support GNLF for 6th Schedule

However, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh on a social network published "For those of you wondering whether Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh is supporting the 6th Schedule status for Darjeeling, we want to make it clear that the Parisangh remains unchanged in its view that only a separate state will concretise the political identity of the Indian Gorkhas. The comments that appeared in the media in the past days were the personal remarks of a Parisangh functionary and should not be taken as the Parisangh's official stand. Parisangh believes only a separate state will resolve the crisis of political identity that confronts the Gorkhas of India."





Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh to support GNLF for 6th Schedule

9:39 AM
Kalimpong, February 3: Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP)Promises Support to GNLF if They Pursue 6th Schedule Status for Darjeeling Hills
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh to support GNLF for 6th Schedule
R. Moktan
In a bizarre twist of political turn, the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official which projects itself as this body with pan-India presence has assured the Gorkha National Liberation Front under Mohan Ghising of porviding “documentary support” if the GNLF decides to pursue 6th Schedule status for the Darjeeling region.

Speaking at a press conference BGP Nation Spokesperson credited Late. Subash Ghising as being the person who was responsible for demanding ‘Gorkhaland’ statehood for the Indian Gorkhas, and thus proposed to provide documentary support to GNLF if they pursued the 6th Schedule status.

Source: DT

BGP Uttarakhand Dehradun seminar on "Indo-Nepal FriendshipTreaty 1950"

12:29 PM
Dehradun : BGP (Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh) Uttarakhand Dehradun organized a seminar on "Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty 1950". The event was held in the Gorkhali Sudar Sabha hall. BGP president of Uttarakhand, Lt Col (retd) Dewan Singh Kdka, said the main purpose of the seminar was to discuss  the "1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship" in details and also to discuss on the untouched aspects of the of the Indo-Nepal treaty of 1950.He said it is important for the Indian Gorkha community.
BGP Uttarakhand Dehradun seminar on "Indo-Nepal FriendshipTreaty 1950"
BGP Uttarakhand Dehradun seminar on "Indo-Nepal FriendshipTreaty 1950"
DDUDF chief and vice-chancellor of Indira Gandhi Open University Prof. Mahendra P. Lama was the chief guest of the seminar. Indian Gorkha Lt Gen Ram Singh Pradhan and Sakti Gurung were also present in the seminar.

Seminar on Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty Held in Kalimpong

11:17 AM
Clearing the Air Surrounding Article 7 of Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty

A seminar jointly organized by the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) and DDUDF was held in Kalimpong Town Hall to discuss the ramifications of Article 7 of Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty and the ensuing identity crisis felt by the Indian Gorkhalis.
Seminar on Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty Held in Kalimpong
Seminar on Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty Held in Kalimpong
Many experts have opined that the question of ‘identity’ plaguing Indian Gorkhas is mostly emanated from the Article 7 of the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950) which reads, “The Governments of India and Nepal agree to grant, on a reciprocal basis, to the nationals of one country in the territories of the other the same privileges in the matter of residence, ownership of property, participation in trade and commerce, movement and other privileges of a similar nature,” which makes it difficult to identify the Indian citizens of Nepali ethnicity Vs. the Nepali citizens who have immigrated to India for work and livelihood purposes.

The seminar which lead by a discussion panel that consisted of DDUDF Chief Dr. Mahendra P Lama, Bhatariya Gorkha Parisangh National President Dr Enos Das Pradhan, Kalimpong MLA Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri, Brig. C S Thapa (retd) and Col D S Kharga from Dehradun, Mr. B B Chettri from Meghalaya, BGP Spokesperson Mr Nityananda Upadhaya from Assam, and Mr Pashupati Sharma in the panel, saw participation from people from across party lines, civic organizations, NGOs, and common people.

The discussion basically centred around the proposed amendments via a working paper (developed by Dr. Mahendra P Lama) that need to be implemented and contained on various suggestions regarding the amendment of the treaty which could clearly demarcate the difference between Indian Gorkhas and Nepali citizens.

Highlighting the difference between “Citizenship and Identity” Dr. Mahendra P Lama said, that citizenship is a technical issue, where as identity is a political issue and hence need to be look at from different lenses. He further said that the formation of Gorkhaland statehood would solve both the technical and political issues facing the Indian Gorkhas altogether.

Speaking on the issue, Dr. H B Chettri said that the issues raised in this seminar were pertinent and finding solutions to the questions posed in the forum was of utmost importance for protecting the future of Gorkhalis in India. He further stressed that all the political and non-political groups needed to come together to address these issues and that everyone needs to do all they can to highlight the Gorkha cause at any and every forum that they have access to.

Dr. Enos Das Pradhan said that the proposed ‘working paper’ was merely a start to answering some of the most pertinent questions facing the Gorkhali community today. He further said that issues such as “identity” that are of national importance need to be addressed in a unified manner, and that all the Gorkhalis across India need to speak with one voice to address these issues.

Over all the seminar was focused on requesting all the political and non-political entities to come together in the struggle for Gorkhaland statehood, and for all Gorkhas across India to speak with one voice when it came to Gorkha issue.

Source: DC
[Pic: Animesh Rai Via: Darjeeling DarjeelingTimes.com - Darjeeling News]

BGP to hold National Seminar and Interactive Sesson on Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950

3:49 PM
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), the national umbrella social organisation has initiated a process of holding the first NATIONAL SEMINAR AND INTERACTIVE SESSION  on Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950 on Sunday the 2nd November 2014 at 11.00 AM at Kalimpong Town Hall. Dr. Mahendra P Lama (DDUDF Founder President), Mr. B. B. Chhetri, President, Meghalaya State Unit of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Brig (Retd) C. S. Thapa a well known Gorkha author and thinker from Dehradun, Mr. Somen Nag, Political observer from Siliguri, Shri R. B. Rai, Former MP, Smt. Dil Kumari Bhandari, former MP will form the panel for interactive session.
BGP to hold National Seminar and Interactive Sesson Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh president Enos Das Pradhan
The Indian Prime Minister agreed to the idea of reviewing and revising the Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950 and the challenge before every Indian is to have a broad-based discussion and make the provisions of the Treaty that would go along the needs of the 21st Century.

Both India and Nepal would tread the path of reviewing / revising / abrogating the 1950 Treaty on the basis of each nation's larger national interest. On the other hand, for the India Gorkhas it is high time to ensure that this Treaty either had a complete safeguard for the fostering of political and constitutional identity of the Indian Gorkhas or has an exclusive arrangement for durable solution to their protracted demand of keeping them separate from the floating population that crosses border under the provisions of the 9150 Treaty.

Do the Indian Gorkhas aspire for resolutions of these issues within the Treaty or outside the Treaty? If it is within, then what kinds of provisions are to be added to the existing Treaty. And if they want solutions outside the framework of the Treaty what kind of arrangement is needed. All these require a comprehensive and wider national discussions and deliberations.

Kindly attend and encourage your students, colleagues, members of your organisations to attend and participate at this Seminar. If you don't You will be missing a great opportunity in the history of this land.to deliberate on this very critical issue in a single forum. Let the nation hear ONE VOICE of Gorkhas on this issue.

Source: Enos Das Pradhan

 
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