Skip to main content

Darjeeling bandh formally called off as Gorkha Janmukti Morcha "loses" ground, BJP becomes "inconsequential"

By Sadhan Mukherjee*
The Darjeeling hill flames are doused, or are they? Whatever may be the compulsion, after 104 days the bandh has been formally called off by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung in response to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s appeal for talks.
The fact is that life in the hills was already becoming normal following Binoy Tamang’s call. In that context the Home Minister’s appeal to call off the bandh sounds rather a diplomatic move and probably is a face-saver for Bimal Gurung faction of GJM.
It is clear that while the state government depends more on Binay Tamang, the centre seems to keep Bimal Gurung on good books. It may also be a ploy also to play one faction of GJM against the other.
According to the state government, the Home Minister’s appeal and the withdrawal of bandh appear meaningless when a new Gurkha Territorial Administration (GTA) board headed by Binay Tamang had taken charge, internet has been re-opened and shops are lifting their shutters showing in effect that the bandh is already withdrawn.
What remained is the fear if the Bimal Gurung faction will resort to violence to keep the bandh technically going.
The Home Minister’s appeal also indicates that the home secretary has been asked to open discussion but it is not clear if it will be a tripartite discussion. The question is: why did the centre until now did not show any interest to initiate a meeting and left it to the state government to resolve it “as a law and order” issue.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already held two rounds of meeting with hill leaders. Life has been returning to normal.
Trinamul’s view is that behind the current move is the BJP’s growing frustration as it is becoming irrelevant in state politics, especially in relation to hills. That is why on Monday BJP MP from Darjeeling SS Ahluwalia and state BJP president Dilip Roy met Rajnath Singh post haste and demanded that the Home Minister should announce a meeting to resolve the Darjeeling issue under centre’s auspices and also assure it would be held soon.
Not only the other GJM was losing ground fast in the hills, but the BJP itself was becoming inconsequential in state politics, they asserted. Hence, the next day came the statement from the Home Minister.
Gurung has been steadily losing his main lieutenants going over to Binay Tamang camp. In such a situation Gurung must have realised that may be the announcement of lifting of the bandh would be the better part of valour. He also reportedly opposed any harsh measures against those who have left his camp.
Binay Tamang retorted to Gurung’s overture saying that the hill people were not accepting the immobilisation of hill life while some one hiding in the jungle was issuing fiats. District Magistrate Jayasi Dasgupta commented in an oblique reference to Gurung: If you are thinking so much about the hill people, when then why hide in the jungle and Sikkim hotel? Why not come to the main bazaar and announce it!
The coming days will show who wins in this tug of war for GJM leadership.
---
*Veteran journalist

Comments

TRENDING

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative   At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar  For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative   Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

The myth of population decline: India’s real challenge is density, not fertility

By N.S. Venkataraman*   India’s population in 2025 stands at approximately 1.4 billion. In 1950, it was 359 million, rising sharply to 1.05 billion by 2000. The population continues to grow and is projected to reach around 1.7 billion by 2050.

How natural and organic farming can be a key to combating the climate crisis

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  On July 9, while addressing the “Sahkar Samvad” in Ahmedabad with women and workers associated with cooperatives from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that natural farming is essential for both our health and the health of the soil. This is a significant statement in the context of addressing the climate change crisis. Natural farming can play a crucial role in combating climate change. Also known as organic farming, it is a system of agriculture that can increase food production without harming the environment. Natural farming has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 35% to 50%.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.