Cannot Compromise on ‪‎Gorkhaland‬ - JAP leader Bhawani Pradhan after resignation

1:31 PM

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Politics

"My Conscience Doesn't Permit Me to Compromise on Gorkhaland Demand" - JAP leader Bhawani Pradhan after resignation

An ardent supporter of Dr. Mahendra P Lama and long time associate with DDUDF and Kurseong Sub-division Convener of Jan Andolan Party Mr. Bhawani Pradhan has resigned from the party citing differences of principals.

Mr. Bhawani Pradhan who was one of the earliest supporters of Dr. Mahendra P Lama during his bid for 2014 MP elections, said "I am an ordinary individual, who wanted an educated and community loving leader to lead our Darjeeling... I was long time Secretary of DDUDF and I have worked in nooks and corners of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars... when Dr. Lama contested in 2014, I was so hopeful of him, that I even sold my land, which I bought to build my house on... to raise funds for his campaign... however today, I have come to realize that there is a fundamental difference between my principals and that of JAP.... hence I am resigning."

When asked to explain on the differences, Mr. Pradhan said, "My one and only interest is Gorkhaland statehood... yes we want development, but a separate state for the Gorkhas is a necessity... Development is our right, and for that we don't have to rely on anyone's benevolence... I strongly feel that we should not stake the safety and security of our community which can be derived from a separate state, and seek to exchange it for development..."

 Jan Andolan Party

He added, "Those friends who are today clamouring for development say that we cannot have a revolution on hungry stomach... I just want them to know that revolutions all over the world have in fact been led by those who are hungry and deprived...."

Making his stand on Gorkhaland issue clear, Mr. Pradhan said, "Bengal-centric development will never help the Gorkhas, and may be Bengal led development may make us prosperous, however, I am certain, it will never make us happy... Development is our right and it is not a charity which can only be arrived at if we work as Bengal dictates...."

One can almost feel the personal agony that Mr. Pradhan must have gone through, as he added... "You [Bengal] won't give us development? then don't... even I won't give my self-respect... I won't give up my self-respect... rather I would give in my resignation...."

Mr. Pradhan said he is not doing this to attain some selfish goals, he clarified "I won't join any other party."

Via TheDC

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2016 Elections Darjeeling hills - discussing the possibilities

8:23 AM

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Politics

2016 ELECTIONS: PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS – DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITIES

Writes : Upendra

The Chinese have a saying, “may you live in interesting times”... it is both a blessing and a curse. Interesting times could mean, a time of widespread success or even a time of utter chaos. As far as Darjeeling is concerned, it almost feels like someone or the other wished us “interesting times.”

Elections are here folks, and Darjeeling as usual is simmering with tension under the surface. There is a curiosity about the newly formed Jan Andolan Party, and old guards of GNLF are reviving their loyalty towards “Hariyo Jhanda.”CPRM and AIGL have remained in the sidelines as the drama unfolds; Congress and CPI(M) have been more or less silent too. GJM in the meanwhile is trying to hold on to the people, and even though they have made new friends in the Terai and Dooars, some old comrades are leaving them and siding with TMC.

Since we haven’t had Panchayat elections, the only reference point we have to evaluate the political possibilities in the three hill constituencies are the data from 2014 MP elections. Much has changed on the grounds since then, however, this is the only data point we have to compare and contrast some political possibilities in the coming days.

In 2014 elections, GJM supported BJP candidate Shri. SS Ahluwalia garnered a total of 289,017 votes, where as the entire opposition had garnered 161,714 votes (including the NOTA). It is interesting to note that None of the Above (NOTA) had garnered more votes than candidates from CPI(M), Congress and Gorkha Rastriya Congress. Dr. Mahendra P Lama was then supported by CPRM, DDUDF, BGP and AIGL; and Mr. Bhaihung Bhutia of TMC was supported by GNLF.

All said and done, GJM had garnered 55% more votes than the entire opposition combined.

This means that for the opposition parties to win in the hill region, they need to come together and after that, try and get at least 60% votes swing in their favour. Despite all their flaws, GJM base is holding strong and even if there is a swing, a massive 60% swing against them is highly unlikely, at least in the upcoming elections. Also the entire Hill opposition coming together to contest elections are exceedingly improbable.

This thus, opens up a wide range of possibilities for collaborations amongst the various political entities in our hills.

THOSE ASPIRING FOR GORKHALAND
Amongst the political parties championing the cause of Gorkhaland are GJM, GNLF and CPRM. Their methods and how they aspire to achieve it are markedly different though. CPRM doesn’t believe in interim set ups like GTA, and if it was up to them, they would rather dissolve GTA and continue the struggle for Gorkhaland statehood outright. GNLF on the other hand is currently seeking Schedule VI status for the GTA region, with the eventual aim of attaining Gorkhaland.

Meanwhile GJM is running the GTA and to be honest their situation is like the classic Nepali proverb – “Khayis ta hasiya, abo hagera hyer.” For them GTA is something they cannot afford to give up for the fear of Bengal running it through various proxies, and at the same time, they have not been able to run GTA the way it was expected to function.

Indeed there are multiple reasons for improper functioning of GTA, the primary factor being the non-transfer of funds, departments and powers by the Bengal government. Add to that the haphazard and often arbitrary functioning of the party bosses, and a system of nepotism and corruption has made GTA an almost non-functional administrative body, without any real powers. This has resulted in gross disenchantment amongst the general public against the usefulness of GTA, and thus their growing anger towards GJM.

However, currently GJM still continues to strive for Gorkhaland state and that is perhaps what is keeping their base from deserting them en masse.

THOSE ASPIRING FOR DEVELOPMENT
Making a marked shift from the usual ‘Gorkha’ and ‘Gorkhaland’ rhetoric, the Jan Andolan Party is silently increasing their support base. Their focus is in ensure

Via TheDC

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GYASA met Mahendra P. Lama at JNU Delhi

2:23 PM

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Mahendra P. Lama

27th July, 2015: GYASA (Gorkha Youth and Student Association) expressed their gratitude to Professor Mahendra P. Lama , the founding president of the DDUDF, for taking time to see them at Jawaharlal Nehru University. It was a fruitful session where they felt intellectually enriched they said. As he was very supportive of the social movement initiated by GYASA, and encouraged them to stay focused in their vision. As the movement grows, staying focused on the goal will be challenging and crucial to the success of the movement.

GYASA met Mahendra P. Lama at JNU Delhi

Prof. Lama says that EDUCATION is the prime key of the upliftment of the Gorkha society. Where he said “Shisha ko kheti” or “Gyan ko kheti” is what we must do to get more Gorkha people into our policy-making and governance in the country. Most of our people, despite being first or second educated generation have achieved quite a feat in all spheres – be it civil services, academics, military service, or private sector. Our people are extremely talented but we do not have proper guidance and counseling for the students.

While education is essential, we also must not forget our roots. NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER FOR PETTY GAINS! THINK BIG! NEVER FORGET YOUR ROOTS, says Prof. Lama. This is because we must inculcate the culture of giving back to the society in our own little way. An institutionalized effort for research and development must be done on our language, culture, and history. While our language has been constitutionally recognized not substantial had happened for research and study into the language.

Prof. Lama in his own words says, “Unfortunately our political leaderships have failed us in every respect. They have been so lacklustre, under-rated at all levels; ignorant to the hilt; marginalised by virtue of their background and acts; harmfully shortsighted and self centric at the highest societal cost. They are seemingly a bunch of emotions, hollow promises with dangerous instincts of self prophesy and survival. They have become local lords and regional cocoons. As a result, the national image and power of the Gorkhas have steadily eroded and widely stigmatised thereby putting the very future of coming generation in total jeopardy.

Hope lies in the resurrection, commitment and re-emergence and active role of the Gorkha youths to come together nationwide and question these leaderships and imbibe in them larger issues of aspirations of the youths. Only this will bring about a healthy and far reaching transformation. It is some sort of a beginning of renaissance within the pan-India community.”

We must be aware of the changing cosmopolitan needs in terms of skills and career growth. Nurturing a READING HABIT amongst the youth is of prime importance to spread the message. We have all the traits of the most civilized society – polite and respectful to others, humble, communally and religiously tolerant, and so on. However the basic premise of a civilized society, EDUCATION is missing. Once we have the weapon education with us, nothing can stop the Gorkhas from achieving what we aspire to be.

Educated youth and individuals must take part in social movement and contribute more towards changing our social mindset and channelize the energy of our coming generation into more socially constructive activities.

Source - GYASA

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Teesta Valley Sabhasad met Gurgaon assault victims, DDUDF sends memorandum

8:54 AM

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racism

DARJEELING 22 May 2015 : Teesta Valley Sabhasad, Norbu G Lama arrived in Delhi yesterday to visit the Darjeeling trios who were beaten at Gurgaon last Saturday.

Teesta Valley Sabhasad met Gurgaon assault victims

GTA Sabhasad Norbu G Lama was accompanied by Mr. Raunak Singh Ahaluwalia - the son of Darjeeling MP.

On reaching Delhi, the Sabhasad took stock of the situation with the three youths and interacted with those who have helped the three youth.

A GJM spokesperson informed, “We have decided to provide the victims with all kind of financial assistance they need for their treatment. They belong to very poor families and have migrated for employment opportunities… This kind of incident should not happen again,”

Representatives from Gorkha associations based in Delhi are expected to meet Darjeeling MP SS Ahaluwalia and Norbu G Lama today, and with the intention of pressing for the demand to form a Powerful non-political Gorkha body comprising of representatives from all Gorkha communities across India.

Meanwhile, Founder-Trustee of Darieeling Dooars United Development Foundation Mahendra P. Lama, in a memorandum to Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Friday said the Gurgaon incident had sent shockwaves among the people in Darjeeling and the North East region. According  to a DDUDF release, Rijiju assured Lama that he would seek a report from Haryana police and take suitable action.

The residents gathered in front of the police station and raised slogans against the police. They even barged into the police station demanding immediate arrest of the accused, said a local source.

On reaching Delhi, the Sabhasad would take stock of the situation with the three youths who are currently undergoing treatment at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. It may be recalled here that a group of seven to eight persons brutally assaulted Abhishek Rai, Sagar Rai and Dev Kumar Subba of Teesta Valley area over a trivial issue in Nathupur village of Gurgaon district on Saturday night. The incident was triggered after Abhishek threw a packet containing garbage and broken glass from the first floor of his residence into a dustbin kept on the roadside. The packet missed the dustbin with shards of glass hitting some youths, which lead to the ghastly attack.

“The incident definitely had a racial overtone and regional bias. Like a large number of younger generation people living in Delhi and around for studies and livelihood, these three youths from tea gardens of Darjeeling have been there mainly for their livelihood as the living conditions and economic situations in these gardens have sharply deteriorated in the last decade or so. More importantly, these youths have gone to Gurgaon to also contribute in the development process there,” the DDUDF memorandum said.

The incident has once again affected the spirit and enthusiasm of a large number ofpeople from the North East region in Delhi and around. It has once again raised the spectre of racial and regional violence in Delhi and around. “In order to prevent recurrence of such ghastly incidence of violence in future we sincerely appeal to you to ensure the culprits including the house owner and his associates are booked strictly under the rule of law,” the memorandum said.

A section of the police, it said, had allegedly complicated the situation by racial remarks and they, too, should be booked according to law.

“The incident definitely had a racial overtone and regional bias. Like a large number of younger generation people living in Delhi and around for studies and livelihood, these three youths from tea gardens of Darjeeling have been there mainly for their livelihood as the living conditions and economic situations in these gardens have sharply deteriorated in the last decade or so. More importantly, these youths have gone to Gurgaon to also contribute in the development process there,” the DDUDF memorandum said.

The incident has once again affected the spirit and enthusiasm of a large number of people from the North East region in Delhi and around. It has once again raised the spectre of racial and regional violence in Delhi and around. “In order to prevent recurrence of such ghastly incidence of violence in future we sincerely appeal to you to ensure the culprits including the house owner and his associates are booked strictly under the rule of law,” the memorandum said.

A section of the police, it said, had allegedly complicated the situation by racial remarks and they, too, should be booked according to law.  (HS ad EOIC)

Source: EOI & DC

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All members of Prof. M P Lama's Party DDUDF election trust quit

8:31 AM

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Politics

Vivek Chhetri

Darjeeling, May 22: All five trustees of the DDUDF (Darjeeling Dooars United Development Foundation), which was formed to push the candidature of Mahendra P. Lama in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency in the last general elections, have resigned from the board saying the entity has been dormant ever since its inception.

Mahendra P. Lama

The five trustees of the foundation, B.K. Pradhan, Bharat Prakash Rai, Rev. C Baruah, Hem Baraily and Udhyan Rai, said in a signed statement: "It has been unanimously resolved that the following trustees of DDUDF have agreed to renounce from the trusteeship of DDUDF owing to the fact that the board of trustee has remained dormant and non functional since its inception."
The decision was taken by the board of trustees at a meeting held in Darjeeling on May 19 under the chairmanship of Pradhan.

Lama, the former vice-chancellor of the Sikkim University, had contested the last Lok Sabha election as an Independent and got 55,767 votes. On March 9 early this year, Lama had said he would form a political party soon as it was the "people's wish".

Pradhan today said: "The very fact that a meeting of the board of trustees hasn't been held even once since its inception propelled us to renounce the trusteeship."

Asked if Lama's decision to form the political party had forced the resignation, Pradhan said: "Well, I was the one who had asked Mahendra bhai to contest the (Lok Sabha) election... there is talk of a political party and we might unnecessarily get dragged into this without our involvement."
Told about the trustees' resignation, Lama, who was in Delhi today, said: "It is their voluntary decision and I have nothing much to say. We will soon constitute a new board."

Asked if his plan to float a political party would be affected, Lama said: "We will definitely float a party as it is the people's wish. We are still working on the date to float the party."

Source: Telegraph

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Friends and ‘foes’ gather, GJMM stays aloof

11:04 AM

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Subhash Ghisingh

While even ‘enemies’ reached Bagdogra Airport to pay their last respects to the “uncrowned king of the Hills,” no important leader from the present dispensation in the Hills, the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), was seen around here.

People line up to pay their last respect to Shri. Subash Ghising

However, GJMM chief and chief of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bimal Gurung today announced that all offices under the GTA will remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect to the once strongman of Darjeeling, Subhas Ghisingh, who died in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Gurung was also once a close aide to Mr Ghisingh, the founder of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).

“I have not seen any Morcha leader here, but this is their problem,” said the founder of the Darjeeling Dooars United Development Foundation (DDUDF) Mahendra P Lama.

However, former Rajya Sabha MP Saman Pathak came here to pay the departed leader his last respects. Mr Pathak refused to recall his past memories during the Gorkhaland agitation in the Darjeeling Hills under the leadership of the GNLF chief. The house of former Darjeeling MP, the late Ananda Pathak, (father of Saman Pathak) was set on fire and his family members were taken hostage during the Gorkhaland agitation in the mid-80s.

Former MLA from Kalimpong Santa Chhetri, who was once close to Mr Ghisingh, also reached the airport to pay her last respect to the late Ghisingh. Ms Chhetri had to leave the Hills during the GJMM rise, and she finally left the GNLF and joined the Trinamul Congress.

“My leader Mr Ghisingh was the only leader who raised the Hill issues and made the demand for a separate state of Grokhaland international. I failed to control my emotions after hearing of his sad demise. I have come here like hundreds of other people to pay him my last respect,” said Ms Chhetri.

Rajen Mukhia, who was with Subash Ghisingh when he fought the GJMM, also left the GNLF and joined the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) as he felt that his mentor decided to go slow against GJMM chief Bimal Gurung.

Mr Mukhia, who joined the Trinamul Congress, was one of the leaders at the airport paying homage to the departed Hill leader.

Source: thestatesman

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DDUDF Takes Up The Case of Kurseong Ranger's College

10:56 AM

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MP S.S. Ahluwalia

While GJM is Busy Inaugurating Sign Boards - DDUDF Takes Up The Case of Kurseong Ranger's College

Ranger’s College in Kurseong About to Be Shut Down Completely

With the GJM and Darjeeling MP SS Ahluwalia being completely ineffective, the Darjeeling and Darjeeling Dooars United Development Foundation has stepped up to save one of Darjeeling's important heritage - Kurseong Ranger's College.

On December 11, TheDC and Himalaya Darpan had reported about the fact that the Eastern Ranger's College was about to be shut down [Details here: Ranger’s College in Kurseong About to Be Shut Down Completely
]

However, neither the GTA nor Darjeeling MP did anything to bring this issue to the attention of the appropriate authorities.

Following which the DDUDF President Dr. Mahendra P Lama approached the Director General (Forests) and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests Shri. S S Garbyal and informed him about the need to preserve the Eastern Forest Ranger's College, situated at the St. Mary's hills in Kurseong.

Shri. S S Garbyal informed Dr. Lama that he along with a team from the MoEF would visit Kurseong for an evaluation tour and decide on the matter.

Dr. Lama informed Mr. Garbyal that the Eastern Forest Ranger's College was a heritage institute and a pride of the Darjeeling hills, and thus not only needs to be conserved, but also needs to be upgraded to a research institute status.

The Ranger's College in Kurseong is one of the four premier institutes in India which along with such institutes in Dehradoon in Uttarakhand, Barnihat in Assam and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu that trains rangers selected from all over India.

Dr. Lama said that the Ranger's college was a pride of the Darjeeling Hills and if it shuts down it would be a great loss to the hills.

We are hopeful that Dr. Lama's timely intervention will help in saving this prestigious Institute.

While we thank Dr. Lama for his initiative and assure him of all support in this endeavour from our side. We cannot help but call our GTA officials and MP...

Source: DC

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DDUDF Pushes for 3-Tier Panchayat System, calls DGHC and GTA unconstitutional bodies

8:28 AM

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Politics

DDUDF Promotes Formation Panchayat Council - Calls GTA "Unconstitutional Body"

Coming down heavily on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration set up, the Darjeeling and Darjeeling Dooars United Development Foundation (DDUDF) have called it an unconstitutional body, and have started to focus on forming Panchayat Councils.

 Dr. Mahendra P Lama

Speaking to the press, the DDUDF Chief Dr. Mahendra P Lama said that "DGHC and GTA are unconstitutional bodies, which is why it is futile to run after these bodies... and hence it is important to develop the Panchayat system which has constitutional guarantee."

He further claimed that, "GTA being an unconstitutional body is meant to be a stop gap measure to placate the hill politicians, where as Panchayat is the body through which central schemes and policies can be implemented at the grassroots level"

The DDUDF Panchayat Council has started to be formed from Longview, and gradually be expanded to Sitong, Sipahidhura, Tindharye and so on.

Addressing a meeting held at Kurseong Public Library, Dr. Lama said, "none of the political parties demanding Gorkhaland have done so with proper political foundation... emotions alone can never get us Gorkhaland... we need proper foundation and strategy which has so far been lacking."

Dr. Lama asserted that in the past 1 year DDUDF has achieved a lot, including meeting the Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to update her on the tea garden wage related issue.

He further said, "wait till we come to power and we will show, what development looks like... merely laying foundation stones does not equate to development... we will show what it looks like"

Accusing GJM of fooling the public, Dr. Lama said, "those who know nothing about farming, should not be holding 'Krishi Mela'... getting paid dancers to shake their hips and qualifying that as 'Krishi Mela' is actually an injustice to the farming community"

Dr. Lama assured that DDUDF and its ideals will gradually spread across the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars.


Source: DC

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