Tribal Status for all Gorkhas in India – Gurung to Meet Chamling

Bimal Gurung and Pawan Chamling on oath taking ceremony of Shri Narendra Modi.

Speaking to the press Mr Gurung said, “Our aim is not just to gain ST status for Gorkhalis of Darjeeling and Sikkim, but also of Gorkhalis living across India – be they from Dehradun or Assam, from Manipur or Mizoram… all the Gorkhalis across India should be recognized as scheduled tribes and we will work towards this goal..”

Highlighting the need for a unified approach to achieve this goal, Mr. Gurung said, “All of us are talking about the same issue, so instead of demanding this separately from Darjeeling, Sikkim or Assam… we can all collaborate and present a unified front… which we are sure will help in making our voices louder and force the Central government to accede to our demand.”

When asked who would initiate such a move, he said, “Even though I am a syanu manchey, I will initiate this quest for unity… and for this, I will go to meet Sikkim CM Dr. Pawan Kumar Chamling and talk to him regarding how to move this issue forward in a united way…. this is something all of us have to demand in unison and unless we do that, our goal won’t be realized.”

He further said, “we are hopeful that not just Gorkhalis from Darjeeling and Sikkim, but Gorkhalis from all over India will join hands to raise this demand… only then our demand will be fulfilled.”

Source: DC