GJYM set to take up political programmes from June 10 to push for Gorkhaland
Darjeeling: The Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha will be taking up political programmes from June 10 to pressurise BJP to work towards the creation of Gorkhaland. It is on this poll plank that BJP and Hill allies had secured public mandate for both the Lok Sabha and Assembly bypolls in Darjeeling, stated the GJYM.
"After June 10 we will launch a series of political programmes in the GTA area, Terai and the Dooars in the plains. We will start with postering. It will, however, not be like the violent agitations in the past. We will maintain cordial relations with the state government," stated Amrit Yonzon, president, GJYM.
The agitation is also aimed at the parliamentary session that will commence from June 17. "Raju Bishta won the elections on the Gorkhaland poll plank. The allies and the BJP clearly stated in the Hills that people should vote for him, keeping 'Jati and Mato' (community and land) in mind. He got an overwhelming mandate so its time he and BJP live up to the commitment," added Arun Chettri, general secretary.
He further stated that during the 2017 agitation that had culminated in the 105-day-long bandh, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had clearly stated that it was their democratic right to launch an agitation as long as it was non-violent and peaceful. "However, only when the agitation turned violent did the state begin the crackdown. The 105-day-long bandh was not fruitful at all as it did not yield any result," stated Chettri.
He stated that during the poll campaign in Darjeeling, Banerjee had publicly declared that she will work towards resolving the identity issue of the Gorkhas, along with political security. "The BJP has talked about a permanent political solution to the Gorkha impasse. They should spell out what it is," Chettri added.
When questioned on what their stand is regarding GNLF's demand of 6th Schedule status to the Darjeeling Hills, spokesperson Anit Khati said: "6th Schedule has been rejected by the GJM led by Bimal Gurung in 2007, along with the entire Hills. Gurung had used the rejection of 6th Schedule issue to drive Subash Ghising and the GNLF from the Hills. They even had dubbed it as expired medicine. Now how can the same 6th Schedule be reintroduced? It is redundant. Nothing short of Gorkhaland will be accepted as a full and final political solution."
