Coordinates: 27°3′N 88°16′E

Gorkhaland
Gorkhaland is proposed statehood demand by the people of the hill regions
of District Darjeeling Kalimpong and Duars area demanding separate state Proposed state of Gorkhaland
from the Indian state of West Bengal within India. The demand for a Proposed state
separate administrative unit in Darjeeling has existed since 1909, when the
Nickname(s): The Queen of Hills
Hillmen's Association of Darjeeling submitted a memorandum to Minto-
Morley Reforms demanding a separate administrative setup.[1] Proposed
state of
Gorkhaland

Contents
History
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
2013 agitation
2017 agitation
Regional Political Parties Gorkhaland
Defunct Political Parties of Gorkhaland
See also
References
Sources
External links

History Location of Darjeeling in West Bengal

In the 1980s, Subhash Ghisingh raised the demand for the creation of a state
called Gorkhaland within India to be carved out of the hills of Darjeeling
and areas of Dooars and Siliguri terai contiguous to Darjeeling. The Gorkhas
have been demanding for separation from West Bengal since 1903 on the Proposed
grounds that the are culturally, ethnically different from West Bengal. The state of
Gorkhaland
demand took a violent turn, which led to the death of over 1,200 people.[2]
This movement culminated with the formation of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill
Council (DGHC) in 1988. The DGHC administered the Darjeeling hills for
23 years with some degree of autonomy.

A new violent movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland was started in

1986 by Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) led by Subhash
Ghisingh. The agitation ultimately led to the establishment of a
semiautonomous body in 1988 called the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Proposed state of Gorkhaland (India)
(DGHC) to govern certain areas of Darjeeling district. However, in 2007, a Coordinates: 27°3′N 88°16′E
new party called the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) raised the demand for Country India
a separate state of Gorkhaland once again.[3] State West Bengal
District Darjeeling
The fourth DGHC elections were due in 2004. However, the government
decided not to hold elections and instead made Subhash Ghisingh the sole caretaker of the DGHC till a new Sixth Schedule tribal
council was established. Resentment among the former councillors of DGHC grew rapidly. Among them, Bimal Gurung, once the
trusted aide of Ghising, decided to break away from the GNLF. Riding on a mass
support for Prashant Tamang, an Indian Idol contestant from Darjeeling, Bimal
quickly capitalized on the public support he received for supporting Prashant, and
was able to overthrow Ghisingh from the seat of power. He went on to found the
[4]
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha raising the demand a state of Gorkhaland.

The demand for Gorkhaland took a new turn with the assassination of Madan
Tamang, leader of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League. He was stabbed to death
allegedly by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters on 21 May 2010, in Darjeeling,
which led to a spontaneous shutdown in the three Darjeeling hill sub-divisions of
Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.[5][6] After the murder of Madan Tamang, the
West Bengal government threatened action against Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, whose
senior leaders are named in the FIR, meanwhile hinting discontinuation of ongoing Proposed "Gorkhaland State "
talks over interim arrangement with the Gorkha party, saying it had "lost popular among the aspirant states of India
support following the assassination".[7]

On 8 February 2011, three GJM activists were shot dead (one of whom succumbed
to her injuries later) by the police as they tried to enter Jalpaiguri district on a
padyatra led by Bimal Gurung from Gorubathan to Jaigaon. This led to violence in
[8]
the Darjeeling hills and an indefinite strike was called by GJM that lasted 9 days.

In the West Bengal state assembly election, 2011 held on 18 April 2011, GJM
candidates won three Darjeeling hill assembly seats, proving that the demand for
Gorkhaland was still strong in Darjeeling. GJM candidates Trilok Dewan won from
Darjeeling constituency[9] Harka Bahadur Chhetri from Kalimpong constituency, Proposed map of Gorkhaland state in
and Rohit Sharma from Kurseong constituency.[10] Wilson Champramari, an India
independent candidate supported by GJM, also won from Kalchini constituency in
the Dooars.[11]

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration

The memorandum of agreement for the formation of a Gorkhaland Territorial
Administration (GTA), a semi-autonomous administrative body for the Darjeeling
hills, was signed on 18 July 2011.[12] Earlier, during the West Bengal assembly
election (2011) campaign, Mamata Banerjee had told that the Darjeeling is
integrated part of Bengal. While Mamata implied that this would be the end of the
Gorkhaland movement, Bimal Gurung reiterated that this was just another step
towards statehood. Both spoke publicly at the same venue in Pintail Village near
Siliguri, where the tripartite agreement was signed.[13] A bill for the creation of
GTA was passed in the West Bengal Legislative Assemblyon 2 September 2011.[14]
The West Bengal government issued a gazette notification for the GTA Act on 14
March 2012, signalling preparations for elections for the GTA.[15] In the elections of
the GTA held on 29 July 2012, GJM candidates won from 17 constituencies and the Torch rally in support of Gorkhaland
rest 28 seats unopposed.[16] After an agitation of about two years, the GJM also in Darjeeling district.
agreed to the setting up of another autonomous body, called Gorkhaland Territorial
Administration. Gurung is currently the chief executive of the GTA. However, over
the last few months, the GJM has expressed severe dissatisfaction over the functioning of the GTA and have revived the call for the
separate state of Gorkhaland.[17]

On 30 July 2013, Gurung resigned from the GTA citing both interference from the West Bengal government and the renewed
agitation for Gorkhaland.[18]
2013 agitation
On 30 July 2013, the Congress Working Committee unanimously passed a resolution
to recommend the formation of a separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh to
the INC-led central government.[19] This resulted in flaring up of demands
throughout India, prominent among them were the demands for statehood for
Gorkhaland in West Bengal and Bodoland in Assam.

Following a 3 days bandh,[20] GJM announced an indefinite bandh from 3

August.[21] Largely peaceful, political development took place in the background.
With the West Bengal government armed with Calcutta high court order declaring
the bandh as illegal, the government toughened its stand by sending a total of 10 Gorkhaland supporters
companies of paramilitary force to quell any violent protest and arresting prominent demonstrating in Mirik, Darjeeling.
GJM leaders and workers.[22] In response GJM announced a unique form of protest
'Janta Bandh', in which with no picketing or the use of force, the people in the hills
were asked to voluntarily stay inside on 13 and 14 August.[23] This proved to be a major success and an embarrassment for the
government.

After a marathon 'all party meeting' convened by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on 16 August at Darjeeling, the pro
[24]
Gorkhaland parties informally formed 'Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee'.

2017 agitation
Between June and September 2017, there was another agitation in Darjeeling.[25] Protests first started after the West Bengal
government announced on May 16 that Bengali language should be a compulsory subject in all schools across the state. This was
interpreted as an imposition of an alien culture by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) administered area where the majority of the
people speak Nepali.[26] Initially, the protests were peaceful. They were stepped up around June 5–8 when the Chief Minister was
visiting the regions. After initially ignoring the situation, the Government softened its tone when the protests and rallies intensified.
After a cabinet meeting at Raj Bhavan in Darjeeling on June 8, the Government clarified that Bengali will be an optional subject in
the hills. But the GJM leadership decided to not take this on face value, and intensified the protests further. The protesters then
revived the old demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.[26] On June 9, the Government called in the para-military to control the
situation.[27][28][29][30][31]

There were a few clashes between the police and the agitators initially. Strikes were called on a few occasions. The situation
worsened on June 15, when the police raided a GJM office and seized spade,sickle,bow,arrow,hoe,and shovel. This was followed by
violent clashes between the police and the agitators. And following this, the GJM called an indefinite strike and shut down in the
region.[26]

There were widespread instances of violence including riots, arson, torching of vehicles, government properties and houses. In one of
these protests, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was torched by the protesters.[32] Mass rallies were taken out regularly by the
supporters of the Gorkhaland agitation. There have been multiple injuries of both the Gorkhaland supporters and security personnel.
A total of 11 people have died in the protests till date.[33] The internet services of the region were also suspended by the government
for the duration of the shutdown.[34] There were complaints of the violation of human right in the region, and an APDR (Association
[35]
for the Protection of Democratic Rights) team was sent to the region to investigate the issue.

On July 9, the protests reach New Delhi. Supporters staged a march from Raj Ghat to Jantar Mantar.[32] This was followed by the
GJM rejecting the State Government’s offer of talks. On August 29, the state Government called a meeting with the hill parties. But
the meeting was fruitless and they could not arrive at a conclusion. This was followed by another round of talks where there was a
consensus to end the shutdown. The supporters met the Home Minister on September 19. This was followed by the hills slowly
returning to normalcy. On September 26, internet services were restored in the region. Then on September 27, GJM headed by new
chairperson Binay Tamang finally called off the strike after 104 days.[32]
Even after the strike was called off, there were a few stray incidents of violence and protests in the region.[33] But the region as a
whole was much calmer than before. And so on October 27, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to withdraw 7 of the 15 central
armed forces deployed in the region.[36]

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.[37][38][39]

Bimal Gurung has been in hiding since then for fear of being arrested under the

Regional Political Parties Gorkhaland

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha(GJM)
Gorkha National Liberation Front(GNLF)
Gorkha National Liberation Front (C.K. Pradhan)(GNLF-P)
Gorkha Rashtriya Congress
Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League/ All India Gorkha League (ABGL)
Bharatiya Gorkha Janashakti(BGJ)
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh(BGP)
Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists(CPRM)

Defunct Political Parties of Gorkhaland

Sikkim Janashakti Party(SJP) {merged with Indian National Congressin 1999}

See also
Gurkha
Indian Gorkha
Nepalese people
Gorkha Kingdom
Gurkha War

References
1. "The Parliament is the supreme and ultimate authority of India"(https://web.archive.org/web/20131101132713/http://
www.darjeelingtimes.com/opinions/political/1810-the-parliament-is-the-supreme-and-ultimate-authority-of-india.html)
.
Darjeeling Times. 23 November 2010. Archived fromthe original (http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/opinions/political/1
810-the-parliament-is-the-supreme-and-ultimate-authority-of-india.html) on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 20 March
2012.
2. "Our sacrifice has gone in vain, say kin of those killed in 1980s Gorkhaland stir"
(https://www.hindustantimes.com/ind
ia-news/our-sacrifice-has-gone-in-vain-say-martyrs-of-the-1980s-gorkhaland-agitation/story-DTbLGZtiDnSAzM6rq1j
byK.html). https://www.hindustantimes.com/. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2018-08-12. External link in |work= (help)
3. "Demand for Gorkhaland raised again"(http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/16/stories/2007111662691500.htm). The
Hindu. Chennai, India. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
4. "Indian Idol reignites demand for Gorkhaland in Darjeeling hills"(http://www.livemint.com/2008/03/19224412/Indian-I
dol-reignites-demand-f.html). Live Mint. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
5. "Gorkha leader Madan Tamang killed, Darjeeling tense" (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gorkha-leader-madan-t
amang-killed-darjeeling-tense/621822/). The Indian Express. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
6. "Gorkha leader Madan Tamang hacked in public" (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-22/india/28291
932_1_madan-tamang-abgl-leader-akhil-bharatiya-gorkha-league) . The Times of India. 22 May 2010. Retrieved
20 March 2012.
7. "Tamang's murder threatens to derail Gorkhaland talks" (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-26/india/
28273046_1_madan-tamang-abgl-akhil-bharatiya-gorkha-league) . The Times of India. 26 May 2010. Retrieved
20 March 2012.
 8. "2 killed in police firing on GJM protesters"(http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1168129.ece?h
omepage=true). The Hindu. Chennai, India. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
9. "GJM wins Darjeeling constituency by record margin of votes"(https://web.archive.org/web/20131104094854/http://w
ww.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata/gjm-wins-darjeeling-constituency-by-record-margin-of-votes/article1-697
453.aspx). Hindustan Times. 14 May 2011. Archived fromthe original (http://www.hindustantimes.com/GJM-wins-Da
rjeeling-constituency-by-record-margin-of-votes/Article1-697453.aspx)on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 20 March
2012.
10. "GJM wins three Assembly seats in Darjeeling"(http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal-polls/gjm-wins-three-as
sembly-seats-in-darjeeling_706214.html). Zee News. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
11. "GJMM to finalise stand today"(https://web.archive.org/web/20120311191949/http://thestatesman.net/index.php?opt
ion=com_content&view=article&id=369474&catid=72) . The Statesman. 13 May 2011. Archived fromthe original (htt
p://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=369474&catid=72) on 11 March 2012.
Retrieved 20 March 2012.
12. "Darjeeling tripartite pact signed for Gorkhaland e
Trritorial Administration"(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/D
arjeeling-tripartite-pact-signed-for-Gorkhaland-T
erritorial-Administration/articleshow/9263963.cms) . The Times of
India. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
13. "Gorkhaland struggle may not end with Mamata's deal"(http://www.firstpost.com/politics/gorkhaland-struggle-may-no
t-end-with-mamatas-deal-44913.html). First Post. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
14. "GTA Bill passed with 54 amendments"(http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/kolkata/30110031_1_
territorial-administration-bill-harka-bahadur-chhetri-gjm)
. The Times of India. 3 September 2011. Retrieved 20 March
2012.
15. "Gorkha Territory readies for polls"(http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-15/kolkata/31196654_1_darje
eling-hills-gorkha-janmukti-morcha-gjm). The Times of India. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
16. "GJM sweeps maiden GTA polls, not to give up Gorkhaland demand"(http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/main-news/po
litics/4936-gjm-sweeps-maiden-gta-polls-not-to-give-up-gorkhaland-demand.html)
. Darjeeling Times/IANS. 2 August
2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
17. Sailen Debnath, The Dooars in Historical T
ransition, ISBN 9788186860441
18. "After Telangana, GJM ratchets up Gorkhaland demand" (http://in.news.yahoo.com/telangana-gjm-ratchets-gorkhala
nd-demand-174805877.html?.tsrc=inucbr). Yahoo News. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
19. http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-big-announcement-on-telangana-statehood-andhra-
pradesh/20130730.htm
20. http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/telangana-ef
fect-gjm-calls-for-bandh-in-darjeeling-hills-for-
gorkhaland_865170.html
21. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/telangana-effect-gorkha-janmukti-morcha-calls-indefinite-shutdown-in-darjeeling-
399204
22. http://isikkim.com/2013-8-gta-councillor-arrested-in-kalimpong-13/
23. http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=59469
24. "Pro Gorkhaland organizations to remain on path of Darjeeling movement under GJAC name" (http://economictimes.
indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pro-gorkhaland-organizations-to-remain-on-path-of-darjeeling-movement-un
der-gjac-name/articleshow/21862376.cms). The Times of India. 16 August 2013.
25. "GJM ends 104-day strike:All about Darjeeling crisis, Gorkhaland demand"(http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne
ws/gjm-ends-104-day-strike-all-about-darjeeling-crisis-gorkhaland-demand/story-
cYX1lHkt2QyHURqeD1GowK.html). hindustantimes.com/. 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
26. "Demand for Gorkhaland:How Bengali language derailed peace in Darjeeling"(http://www.hindustantimes.com/india
-news/demand-for-gorkhaland-the-darjeeling-crisis-began-with-the-bengal-govt-announcement/story-S7VdgGSabmf
xvLKoXc76mO.html). hindustantimes.com/. 2017-06-15. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
27. "Centre rushes 400 more paramilitary to Darjeeling; total 1,400"(https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-
and-nation/centre-rushes-400-more-paramilitary-to-darjeeling-total-1400/articleshow/59163020.cms) . The Economic
Times. 2017-06-15. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
28. "Darjeeling crisis: Centre rushes 400 more paramilitary personnelto restore normalcy" (https://www.hindustantimes.c
om/india-news/darjeeling-crisis-centre-rushes-400-more-paramilitary-personnel-to-restore-normalcy/story-6z50HGoy
Ycv3fDAR2SedUO.html). https://www.hindustantimes.com/. 2017-06-15. Retrieved 2018-07-17. External link in
|work= (help)
29. "Gorkhaland Protest: West Bengal Writes To Centre For 10 Companies Of Paramilitary Force CRPF"(https://www.nd
tv.com/india-news/gorkhaland-protest-west-bengal-writes-to-centre-for-10-companies-of-paramilitary-force-crpf-1719
078). NDTV.com. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
30. "Darjeeling unrest: GJM, BJP adopt resolution for separate Gorkhaland; 600 paramilitary personnel rushed to hills"
(https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-rushes-600-paramilitary-troops-to-darjeeling-seeks-report-4702621/)
.
The Indian Express. 2017-06-13. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
31. "Gorkhaland unrest: Home ministry orders withdrawal of 1,000 paramilitary personnel from Darjeeling - Firstpost"
(htt
ps://www.firstpost.com/india/gorkhaland-unrest-home-ministry-orders-withdrawal-of-1000-paramilitary-personnel-fro
m-darjeeling-4146049.html). www.firstpost.com. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
32. ScoopWhoop (2017-09-27)."Here's A Timeline Of 104-Day Long Gorkhaland Agitation That Ended Today" (https://w
ww.scoopwhoop.com/heres-a-timeline-of-104day-old-gorkhaland-agitation-that-ended-today/#.r3ltnfuye)
.
ScoopWhoop. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
33. Majumdar, Arkamoy Dutta (2017-10-05)."Gorkhaland: BJP leaders visit Darjeeling, claims credit for ending 104-day
strike" (http://www.livemint.com/Politics/s8GoslQUgo7SWURmoiCEIK/Gorkhaland-BJP-leaders-visit-Darjeeling-claim
s-credit-for.html). livemint.com/. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
34. "Darjeeling unrest : GJM demands restoration of Internet services in hills"
(http://www.firstpost.com/india/darjeeling-u
nrest-gjm-demands-restoration-of-internet-services-in-hills-3834031.html). Firstpost. 2017-07-20. Retrieved
2017-11-17.
35. "SILIGURI | APDR team to visit hills over violation of human rights | The Echo of India"
(http://echoofindia.com/siligur
i-apdr-team-visit-hills-over-violation-human-rights-131086)
. The Echo of India. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
36. Rajagopal, Krishnadas (2017-10-27)."Supreme Court allows Centre to withdraw half of its forces from trouble-hit
Darjeeling, Kalimpong"(http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-allows-centre-to-withraw-forces-from-trouble-hit-d
arjeeling/article19931488.ece). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0971-751X). Retrieved
2017-11-17.
37. "As NIA initiates preliminary enquiry in Darjeeling, Bimal Gurung, in hiding, welcomes move"(https://indianexpress.c
om/article/india/gorkha-janmukti-morcha-gjm-as-nia-initiates-preliminary-enquiry-in-darjeeling-bimal-gurung-in-hiding
-welcomes-move-4923610/). The Indian Express. 2017-11-05. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
38. "Darjeeling abandoned: Bimal Gurung hiding, CM Mamata Banerjee playing waiting game, MP Ahluwalia missing" (h
ttps://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/darjeeling-abandoned-gorkhaland-bimal-gurung-mama
ta-ss-ahluwalia-1023278-2
017-07-09). India Today. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
39. "SC order dismissing GJM leader Bimal Gurung's plea seeking protection from arrest could alter political calculus in
hills - Firstpost" (https://www.firstpost.com/politics/sc-order-dismissing-gjm-leader-bimal-gurungs-plea-seeking-protec
tion-from-arrest-could-alter-political-calculus-in-the-hills-4393327.html) . www.firstpost.com. Retrieved 2018-07-23.

Sources
Ed. Poddar, Prem; Prasad, Anmole (2009).Gorkhas Imagined: Indra Bahadur Rai in T
ranslation. Mukti Prakashan.
ISBN 978-81-909354-0-1.
Subba, Tanka Bahadur (1992). Ethnicity, State, and Development: A Case Study of the Gorkhaland Movement in
Darjeeling. Har-Anand Publications &Vikas Publishing House.ISBN 0-7069-5695-8.
Roy, Barun (2012). Gorkhas and Gorkhaland. Parbati Roy Foundation. Archived fromthe original on 2013-01-10.
Samanta, Amiya K. (2000).Gorkhaland Movement: A Study in Ethnic Separatism
. APH Publishing. ISBN 81-7648-
166-1.
Lama, Mahendra P. (1996). Gorkhaland Movement: Quest for an Identity. Department of Information and Cultural
Affairs, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.
Kumar, Braj Bihari (1998). "10. Gorkhaland Imbroglio". Small States Syndrome in India. Concept Publishing
Company. ISBN 81-7022-691-0.
Chaklader, Snehamoy (2004). Sub-Regional Movement in India: With Reference to Bodoland and Gorkhaland. K.P.
Bagchi & Co. ISBN 81-7074-266-8.
Samdara, Ranbir (2005). "7. Silence Under Freedom: Darjeeling Hills".
The Politics of Autonomy: Indian
Experiences. SAGE. ISBN 0-7619-3452-9.
Chadha, Vivek (2005). "16. Gorkhaland Movement". In United Service Institution of India.Low Intensity Conflicts in
India: An Analysis. SAGE. ISBN 0-7619-3325-5.
 Kaushik, Anupma (2007).Gorkhaland Revisited. Navjeewan Publication.ISBN 81-8268-029-8.
Why Gorkhaland. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. 2009.
Debnath, Sailen. West Bengal in Doldrums. ISBN 978-81-86860-34-2.
Debnath, Sailen. Essays on Cultural History of North Bengal. ISBN 978-81-86860-42-7.
Debnath, Sailen. The Dooars in Historical Transition. ISBN 978-81-86860-44-1.

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gorkhaland&oldid=854711416
"

This page was last edited on 13 August 2018, at 07:48(UTC).

Text is available under theCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this
site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of theWikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.