Darjeeling-dooars

STILLBORN SIXTH SCHEDULE AND PEOPLE'S ANATHEMA

The modern, secular nation-state adopted as a political model demands a certain flattening out of differences and the imposition of a structure that does not consider small or anomalous groups of people… If nations have to be imagined into being, the people of the north-east may represent the most remarkable failure of that imagination in regard to India.

Siddhartha Deb, Fragments from a Folder.
On getting the appointment of the Care-taker-Chairmanship of the DGHC, the issue of the International Spying Agency had disappeared from the region and the Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the Caretaker Chairman of DGHC Subash Ghisingh were seen to have made an agreement on 6th December, 2005 to give the status of Sixth Schedule to the existing DGHC for which many parleys were carried on camera. The result of the conclave was nothing but the provisions of the existing Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council were to be incorporated in the proposed Sixth Schedule by changing the nomenclature only. While executing the agreement for the Sixth Schedule status to the existing DGHC a clause stating that "this in principle Memorandum of Settlement is the full and final settlement of the Darjeeling Hill Areas issue and no further demands in this regard would be entertained" { The clause no 11 of the memorandum of settlement made on 6th December 2005 between Government of India, Government of West Bengal and Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council for creating a new Council for the hill areas of Darjeeling District, under the Sixth Schedule of Constitution of India} was inserted. Thus, it was clear that the agreement was aimed and purported for sealing the political aspirations of the people of Darjeeling by the Governments through Subash Ghisingh. The mandate received by Subash Ghisingh had expired in the year 2004 and then after he had become an appointee of the Government of West Bengal, as caretaker chairman of DGHC enjoying facilities and perk from the public fund. Knowing well the implication and intricacies, of appointmenting Subash Ghising as Caretaker Chairman of DGHC; the acceptance and acknowledgment of as representative of the people of Darjeeling hills by the two governments for signing an agreement, was a serious disregard and disrespect of all democratic principles and system. If the Governments were sincere then the agreement would have been made with the representatives of the West Bengal Assembly and the Member of Parliament elected from Darjeeling in stead of signing an agreement with the person appointed by the West Bengal Government. During the British period, the Rules and Acts framed and enacted by Calcutta and Delhi had a tradition of necessary modification for application in Darjeeling so as to make their applicability attuned to the place. But on the attainment of Independence the Rules, Acts, Planning made in Kolkata, though incompatible to the ground reality of Darjeeling, has been invoked in ditto. Further, in the twenty first century of democratic India, it was seen the governments taking all possible steps to force upon Darjeeling the political leader of their choice.

Five days after the signing of agreement with the Governments of West Bengal and India for the Sixth Schedule status to the DGHC, the GNLF had organised a public meeting at Chowk Bazar Darjeeling on 11th December 2005 purportedly to explain before the people the details of the agreement. While addressing the public meeting Subash Ghisingh, the Care taker Chairman of DGHC, brazenly tried to silence the media and the political parties. As he said that, "reporters have been noted in my eyes. Do not think you can get away with your arrogance. If I become angry, God help you. Report the truth; you all have to live here after all. Till now my party's [GNLF] branch committee has been dealing with media sympathetically. But if I take up the matter, I won't be forgiving. I am an ex-armyman and I know how to use the weapon". Further mentioning the names of the leaders of Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists R. B. Rai and D. S. Bomjan, Subash Ghising issued threats of dire consequences, in case they indulge in the criticism of the GNLF and the Sixth Schedule. He also called upon his followers to annihilate opposition leaders and assured them that it is not an offence and it was not tantamount to any criminal act. Inciting the crowd and justifying the threat, he said "when Ram killed Ravana it was not a sin." The threat, intimidation and domination by Subash Ghisingh in that public meeting was telecast on the night of 11th December, 2005 by a local channel of Darjeeling and the local and national newspapers of 12th December, 2005 had covered the essence of his speech.

The administration of Darjeeling, the different Intelligence Agencies and the Government of West Bengal pretended to be unaware of the public meeting and the speech made by Subash Ghisingh. On knowing the attitude of the government and the administration, Darjeeling Press Guild sent a complaint to the then President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on 12th December, 2005 evening. The copies of the complaint were endorsed to the Prime Minister, Home Minister of India, the Governor and Chief Minister of West Bengal, Indian Journalists Union, the Press Club of Kolkata, National Human Right Commission and State Human Right Commission. The Press Club, Kolkata also issued statement on 13th December, 2005 "We strongly condemn Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Administrator Subash Ghising's reported threatening statements against the media during a public meeting on 11th December, 2005. Such statements are nothing but brazen attempts to browbeat the media, stifle freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution and certainly go against democratic principles. We are confident that as before, representatives of the media in Darjeeling will not be cowed down by such threats and will continue to report truth with courage". The leaders of the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists namely R. B. Rai and D. S. Bomjan lodged strongly worded diaries on 13th December, 2005 to Sadar Thana, Darjeeling against Subash Ghising for his inflammatory speech. The diaries were accompanied with newspaper cuttings which had carried the details of the inflammatory speech made by Subash Ghisingh on that day. The copies of the diaries with enclosures were also sent to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling as well as to the Home Secretary, Government of West Bengal. The diaries were treated like scraps of paper and the authorities did nothing to apprehend the culprits. Seeing the unmindful attitude of the administration and their inhibition for taking steps on the basis of dairies, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists organised a MASSIVE RALLY and public meeting on 15th December, 2005 at Chowk Bazar, Darjeeling town for infusing and instilling courage and confidence in the minds of people, party cadres, workers, supporters and the media. The rally and public meeting was the most befitting reply to the threats and intimidations of Subash Ghisingh in a highly organised, polished and disciplined manner that turned the whole exercise of Subash Ghisingh to silence the opposition into a fiasco.

Thus the attempt of imposing the terms and conditions of the settlement in the name of the Sixth Schedule Status for DGHC took a shape of central issue of politics in Darjeeling. Gradually the political parties and the informed layers of society started analyzing the pros and cons of the Agreement held among the Governments of India, West Bengal and Subash Ghisingh for the conferment of the Sixth Schedule Status to the DGHC. By that time there followed a report "PMO forms panel to review areas under Sixth Schedule" and and there was the possibility for the panel to visit Darjeeling for meeting a cross section of the people before the introduction of a bill in Parliament in the winter session 2006 for confer the Sixth Schedule Status to the DGHC. The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists prepared its suggestion and proposals in regard to the proposed Sixth Schedule and had sent the same to the Prime Minister, Home Minister of India, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Care taker Chairman DGHC, the member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament from Darjeeling, the leaders of opposition in Lok Sabha etc. The party had intended to submit the same to the panel formed by the Prime Minister Office on their visit to Darjeeling. The panel so formed did not come to Darjeeling. The Trade Union of Hill Employees Association under the leadership of Amar Rai held a seminar on the proposed Sixth Schedule on 6th January 2007 in Darjeeling. In the seminar, the lone speaker Dr. Mahendra P Lama, the Chairman of the Centre for South East Asian and South West Pacific Studies of JNU's School of International Studies, Delhi, explicitly highlighted the drawbacks, weakness and ineffectiveness of the proposed Sixth Schedule as per the terms and condition of the agreement and settlement made on 6th December, 2005 in Delhi by Subash Ghising. In order to make it workable for meeting the minimum socio-political aspiration of the people of Darjeeling he expressed the urgent need of amendment in the clauses of the agreement made on 6th December, 2005. Many of the suggested amendments were in tune and line of the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists. Later on he drafted the requisite amendments showing the weakness and flaw in the Agreement made by Subash Ghisingh with the Governments of India and West Bengal for the conferment of Sixth Schedule Status to DGHC. Several new items related to finance, planning and administration were also incorporated in the draft proposal made by him. The draft amendment named as JANTA BILL was published by local dailies, also posted into the Internet and its copies were circulated to the political parties and other organisations. Thus the endeavour made by Dr. Mahendra P. Lama was appreciated and applauded by a wide section of the people including the supporters of the GNLF minus Subash Ghising and his close cohorts.

The All India Gorkha League, notwithstanding a political ally of the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists during the period, had reservation on the line pursued by CPRM and the Janta Bill of Dr. Mahendra P. Lama. The All India Gorkha League had left no stone unturned in opposing and condemning the Sixth Schedule. They claimed the settlement made by Subash Ghisingh for the Sixth Schedule Status was nothing but a got off ploy for clinging to the chair of the care- taker- Chairmanship of DGHC by deferring the election of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. They were of the view that the proposed sixth schedule in no case could meet the aspiration of the people of the region for separate state of Gorkhaland. Opposing the sixth schedule with carping tongue and making hue and cry for a separate state of Gorkhaland, the All India Gorkha League under the Presidentship of Madan Tamang neither placed an alternative proposal against sixth schedule nor a programme for achieving a separate state of Gorkhaland. However, holding of public meetings in different places as a part of political activities of the All India Gorkha League had surpassed other political parties from the last quarter of 2006. The result was not very encouraging since the people seemed to be cynical of the move. Thus, in spite of having made an agreement, the Sixth Schedule Status to the existing DGHC did not come to light even two years after the signing of the agreement. During that period the Principal Secretary of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council was found to have issued an order as- "In terms of the posts created vide Order No. 89/CO/CPS/DGHC dated 16th June, 2007 the following persons are hereby engaged in the newly set up "Ecclesiastical Department" on contractual basis with immediate effect upto 31st December, 2007 at the monthly pay and other terms and conditions as shown against each". The creation of ECCLESIASTICAL DEPARTMENT by Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council under the Caretaker Chairmanship of Subash Ghising was clearly against the Secular Spirit and Principle of the Indian Constitution. The person chosen and appointed by the Left Front Government of West Bengal for running the day to day affairs of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council had created a Department for looking after the Religious Matter and its promotion exclusively on the fund provided by the government, it had made the Secular and Secularism professed by the Left Front a Mockery, but the Government instead of making Subash Ghisingh accountable and responsible to the public in the larger interest of the region and also for the sake of the country was seen to have gone out of their way to appease him. Similarly, the Government that had taken a nap failed to grasp the public mood that had developed a strong dislike and resentment against Subash Ghisingh from the second week of September, 2007 on account of his oblivious and cold attitude towards Prashant Tamang, who was a contestant for Indian Idol from Darjeeling. In the campaign rallies for sending SMS to Prashant Tamang for ensuring his victory, slogans against Subash Ghisingh were heard in Darjeeling Hills. Four days before the declaration of the result of Indian Idol Contest, Subash Ghisingh left for Indonesia. During his absence the victory of Prashant, Tamang had set exhilaration and euphoria in the entire Darjeeling, but it was marred by the heinous event of Siliguri on 28th September, 2007. The happenings led to develop a situation, in Darjeeling under which there was every possibility of demonstration and protest against Subash Ghisingh on his return from Indonesia. In such a situation the United Progressive Alliance Government of India that was surviving on the outside support of the Left Front of West Bengal, apparently at the behest of supporter, its Union Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi on 1st October, 2007 made an announcement: "Cabinet Nod to Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling" with an intention of making the entry of Subash Ghisingh smooth and devoid of protest. The announcement of the Union Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi provided a strong pretext to the disheartened supporters of Subash Ghisingh to assemble at Bagdogra Air Port on 2nd October, 2007 to welcome him on his return with Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling. But it was easy for the common people to realise that the Cabinet’s nod to the Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling was a ploy manufactured by the Union Minister at the will of the party, on whose support the Government at the Centre survived. The supporters of the Central Government seemed to have made an effort to divert the wrath of the people by assuaging them with an anointment of the Cabinet Approval to Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling. This was because, two years from the date of signing of the Agreement on 6th December, 2005 to the announcement of the Cabinet Nod to the Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling on 1st October, 2007 more than half a dozen Sessions of Parliament were over. During those sessions of Indian Parliament not a single word was uttered with respect to Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling and with the passing of these two years of the agreement for Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling, the mood of the people was against Subash Ghisingh. Therefore, the Union Minister thought it fit and prudent to announce the approval to Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling immediately after the Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2007 was over. Hence, the announcement of the Cabinet Approval to Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling after two years of the Agreement seemed to have have been made after keeping in mind the protection of Subash Ghisingh from his flaccid moral and political decline. The political parties operating in the region taking into account the different aspect of the developments related to the issue had come forward and made Outright Rejection of the Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling and expressed the strong desire of not to accept any thing less than a Separate State. Further, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists had stated that the announcement of the Union Minister was nothing but an eye wash as otherwise he would have made an Ordinance in the interest of the people and place. Thus, in place of issuance of an Ordinance the announcement of the Cabinet Approval to Sixth Schedule Status for Darjeeling after two years of Agreement was to undermine the intellectual and political acumen of the citizens of the region.

The cabinet approval of the sixth schedule status, to the existing Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council caused an euphoric merriment in the infirmed Gorkha National Liberation Front but other political parties, intelligentsia, artists and writers as well as a large section of people that counted more than ninety percent of the total population of Darjeeling Hills were against the proposed sixth schedule. The sixth schedule proposal was taken by the informed layer as a subtle design of the Government of West Bengal at the behest of CPM and imposing the same on Darjeeling and its people against their wishes and conscience. In order to translate the subtle design into reality the muscle power of the GNLF would be enforced so as to steamroll and crush the public opinion at large. Thus, there was pervasion of distaste and dislike for the role of GNLF not only from the informed circle but from within its party as well.



EMERGENCE OF BIMAL GURUNG

AND FORMATION OF GJMM
I am Joaquin.

I must fight

And win this struggle

For my sons…

I am the masses of my people and

I refuse to be absorbed…

Rodolfo Gonzales, I Am Joachin(1967).
The dubious role of the GNLF in accepting the sixth schedule and an attempt to enforce the same, as an alternative sabotaging the demand of a separate state of Gorkhaland was vehemently opposed by one of its heavy weights Bimal Gurung. But in order to silence the protest as well as stop its spreading among the rank and file of the party, Bimal Gurung was expelled from GNLF on 3rd October, 2007. This expulsion led to the formation of Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) which was announced on 7th October, 2007 in a meeting attended by large number of people at Chowk Bazaar, Darjeeling. The Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha within a short period swelled and turned into a mass based party that posed a real challenge to the GNLF. The Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha led a massive rally for the gherao of Lalkothi, the head quarters of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, demanding the ouster of Subash Ghisingh, caretaker appointed by the West Bengal Government without holding election for the last two and a half years. The massive rally was obstructed by a heavy police cordon about half a kilometre away from Lal Kothi on 7th November, 07. The winter session of Parliament too was scheduled to begin from 15th November, 2007 and it was publicized through press statement by the CPM and its minister Asok Bhattacherjee and Rajya Sabha M.P, Saman(aka Suraj) Pathak that the sixth schedule bill would be placed and passed in that very session of Parliament. The Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha under the leadership of Bimal Gurung announced a programme of burning the COPIES OF MEMORANDUM OF SETTLEMENT MADE IN BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS OF INDIA, WEST BENGAL AND THE CARE TAKER ADMINISTRATOR OF DGHC, SUBASH GHISINGH APPOINTED BY WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT, and FOR THE CONFERMENT OF SIXTH SCHEDULE STATUS TO DGHC. The burning of the copies as announced took place on 15th November 07 throughout the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council areas as a joint programme of the newly formed Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) and the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM). It was seen that the burning of the memorandum was carried with much enthusiasm and commitment by the participation of the general public. But, much to the expectation of the political analyst the copies of the bill of the proposed Sixth Schedule were distributed to the members of the Lok Sabha on 20th November, 2007 with an object of holding discussion on the bill on 4th December, 2007 for its approval. The Central leaders of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh were in Delhi and set themselves in motion to engage in diplomatic exercises: While so doing, they began educating the the leaders of political parties and the members of Parliament about the hidden agenda of the Government of West Bengal concealed in the proposed Sixth Schedule and the extent of damage it would cause to the solidarity and unity of the different communities of Darjeeling Hills.The ‘state’ itself had become an enemy of the constitution. The President of GJMM, Bimal Gurung was also intending to leave for Delhi, but could not go, because the former councilor of DGHC, K.B. Gurung belonging to GNLF was attacked by some miscreants and the GNLF had lodged FIR mentioning involvement of Bimal Gurung despite his not being present in the spot of the attack. But a warrant of arrest was issued on the allegation of attack on K.B. Gurung and an indefinite strike was declared in Darjeeling by the GNLF as a pressure tactic for his arrest. Later, he succeeded in securing the Anticipatory Bail. But, prior to securing the same, he had deputed a team to Delhi and it met the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, Home affairs, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the leader of opposition Sri. L.K. Advani and others. Thus, the Delhi foray by the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh and the team of GJMM with necessary support and guidance from Dawa Narbula who was Congress M.P. from Darjeeling and Nakul Chandra Rai, the Lok Sabha Member from Sikkim and many others from different political parties successfully knocked the doors of leaders and the stalwarts belonging to the both houses of the Parliament. In order to approve the proposed bill for Sixth Schedule in the Parliament, it was mandatory to garner the support and consent of the main opposition BJP. Hence, the Chief-Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee was reported to have visited the Durbar of the leader of the opposition L.K. Advani, forgetting his earlier carping statements against the BJP, for begging his support. But Advani refused to support the bill pointing out the break of Parliamentary precedent of taking the consent of Standing Committee prior to its introduction in Parliament. Thus, unable to enlist the support of the main opposition, the Home-Minister Sri Shivaraj Patil was compelled to refer the bill to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. As per schedule, the Home Affairs on that very day was supposed to have discussed and passed the bill in the Parliament.

Thus, the effort and exercise of bulldozing the people's aspirations and opposition to the imposition of Sixth Schedule on Darjeeling by managing the Government at the centre by the Left Front Government of West Bengal, under the leadership of Buddhadev Bhattacherjee was thwarted. As it was the result of united opposition by the people of Darjeeling and the lobbying and diplomatic exercise carried out in Delhi. The might of the Left Front Government was humbled for the first time by the lovers of Gorkhaland. And the people from all walks of life from Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars region started sending representations to Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee, Home Affairs, with requests of rejecting the proposed Sixth Schedule for Darjeeling. The Lawyers of Darjeeling District Court also formed a Legal Awareness Forum chaired by Amar Lama and the Forum also opposed the proposed Sixth Schedule. The different social organisations functioning in Darjeeling also came forward by sending letters opposing the proposed Sixth Schedule. The Parliamentary Standing Committee, Home Affairs formally invited (a) Gorkha National Liberation Front, (b) All India Gorkha League, (c) Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, (d) Gorkha National Liberation Front C, (e) Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha and (f) Gorkha Rastriya Congress to place their points before the Committee on 20th December, 2007 in Delhi. All the invited parties except Gorkha National Liberation Front, who had done every thing possible to impose the Sixth Schedule Bill, went to Delhi with requisite papers and documents for opposing the imposition of the proposed Sixth Schedule. The parties submitted a joint memorandum and also individual representation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs against the proposed Sixth Schedule on 20th December, 2007. But the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League was not the signatory to the joint memorandum submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. However the united representation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, Home affairs, Government of India, by the Parties against the proposed Sixth Schedule was given more impetus, when Dawa Narbula, the Congress M.P. from Darjeeling too made a verbal submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee against the proposed Sixth Schedule and apprised the committee, that the formation of a separate state would be the only Political solution to Darjeeling's political problem. Thus the solidarity and unity in approach and representation was made for the first time in Delhi by the political parties and public representatives from Darjeeling. This show of solidarity and unity was also carried from the Parliamentary Standing Committee to the Jantar-Mantar Ground of Delhi, where the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh had organised a day's Dharna on 21st December, 2007 for pressing the Government of India for the creation of Homeland for the Nepali Speaking Gorkhas of India. In that One Day Dharna, the participants and delegates from twenty two states of India along with the delegation of the Parties from Darjeeling joined in. Thus, in the political history of Nepali Speaking Gorkhas of India, the Dharna was first of its kind, in voicing the demand of a Homeland that is a Separate State, as per the provisions of the Indian Constitution. And in order to bolster the demand, a two day programme comprising of a seminar and convention was held in Delhi on 22nd and 23rd December, 2007, in the Constitution Assembly Hall, Delhi. The leader of Telengana Rashtriya Congress, renowned journalists, academician, retired army personnel, leaders of the Forum for the formation of Smaller States and bureaucrats addressed the seminar lending their support for the cause of Homeland for Indian Gorkhas. Among them, notable speakers were P. Nehru, Advocate Supreme Court and the leader of the proposed Telengana State, Col. P.R. Reddy who was also leading a movement for the formation of Separate Telengana state. He stressed the need of the united movement for achievement of a Separate State of Telengana and Gorkhaland, and suggested to make the demand of Gorkhaland simultaneously with Telengana and vice versa by the concerned people and the leaders leading the movement. The journalist Sanjay Hazarika commanding national repute and Awadhesh Coomar Sinha wielding a credit for lecturing in the different universities of world were also the speakers, who favoured the cause for having a homeland in India for the Indian Gorkhas by highlighting the contribution and the role of the Gorkhas in making modern India. Sri Om Gupta from North Eastern Hill University and General (retd) Ashok Mehta were also in support of the demand for a homeland of the Indian Gorkhas. The leader of the Forum for Smaller States Babu Ramdeodey Maji also assured the help of his organisation for achievement of a separate state of Gorkhaland for Indian Gorkhas.

But after the return from Delhi, the All India Gorkha League organised public meetings in Darjeeling, Kurseong and kalimpong town where the president of the party, Madan Tamang made a vitriolic attack on the GJMM and other opposition parties that had gone to Delhi. The tone and the line of speech was a clear indication that the All India Gorkha League and its president was not in tandem with the unity and solidarity as formed and maintained in Delhi. But other parties who were the signatories to the joint memorandum that was submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs were unanimous in maintaining unity and solidarity and in the days to come by they would stand together to oppose the proposed Sixth Schedule Bill and to realise the demand of the separate state of Gorkhaland. Thus, the CPRM being apprehensive of role of the ABGL and much concerned over the opposition unity, issued statement signed by Party's General Secretary R.B. Rai on 31st December, 2007 thereby urging the people to be vigilant and judicious against the move that could be pernicious for the welfare and well-being of the people in maintaining unity for the achievement of their long cherished goal.

On 6th January, 2008 at Lebong the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha organised the biggest rally in the history of Public Rallies in Darjeeling. The Central Leaders of GJMM were made to swear in public as a confirmation of their allegiance to the party and programme to be pursued by it for achieving Gorkhaland. While addressing the historic crowd the President of GJMM, Bimal Gurung, announced a series of agitational programmes against the proposed sixth schedule and in favour of Separate State of Gorkhaland for the following three months. The CPRM also organised a public meeting on 12th January, 2008 at the historic Gitangay Dara, Darjeeling and announced its full support to the GJMM's programme to commence from 14th January, 2008 and the speakers also expressed resentment and concern against the activities of ABGL and warned against the idea of jeopardising the solidarity and unity of the people. The GJMM as announced honoured their words on 14th January, 2008 to carry and implement the Non-Co-operation Programme by closing the Government offices in the entire Darjeeling till 18th January, 2008. The Darjeeling Municipality, after the demise of Bal Dewan was scheduled to elect a new Chairman on 14th January, 2008 by ignoring the Non Co-operation Programme of GJMM. But a large number of people surrounded the entire Municipality Office Complex till the evening by breaking section 144 imposed by the district administration. The Darjeeling Municipality, having an absolute majority of GNLF, seemed to have undermined the Non-Co-operation movement of GJMM and the administration had imposed section 144 by deploying a heavy police personnel so as to facilitate the election. But the combined strength of the GNLF and the District Administration was defeated by the solidarity of the people that resulted in the postponement of the notified election. The closing of the government offices, for five days had unprecedented success too.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs was scheduled to visit Darjeeling on 6th and 7th February, 2008 for assessing the ground reality in regards to the proposed sixth schedule. The District Administration had also held a meeting on 30th January, 2008 with the Political Parties in respect of the scheduled visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The meeting was attended by the representatives of all political parties except the GNLF. The GJMM decided to request the Parliamentary Standing Committee on home Affairs for annulment of the proposed sixth schedule by arranging unprecedented welcome to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home affairs as a mark of aversion to the sixth schedule by the people of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars. But the Government of West Bengal was made paranoid by the solidarity of the people of the region, against the proposed sixth schedule which it wanted to thrust upon them, against their wishes. Accordingly they managed the cancellation of the scheduled visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, and arranged to send Subash Ghisingh, the caretaker administrator of DGHC, appointed by West Bengal Government along with the Chief-Secretary to Delhi, where they made their deposition to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on 6th February 08. The GJMM termed the cancellation of the visit of the Parliamentary Standing as a conspiracy of Left Front government of West Bengal for depriving the people of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars to apprise their repugnance and refusal to accept the proposed sixth schedule to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, it announced a series of agitational programmes by placing demands for removal of Subash Ghisingh from the caretaker-administratorship of DGHC. At the same time they wanted to ensure the visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee to Darjeeling and enlighten them about the prevalent situation of Darjeeling Hills. As a measure of exerting pressure a group of twenty-five, each from Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong started Fast-Unto-Death from 7th February 08. The health condition of some of the participants deteriorated to an alarming extent, but they refused to take medical help. The GJMM as a pressure tactic declared the closure of Central, State and DGHC offices from 12th February 08 for an indefinite period that brought the district administration to a stand-still. The Chief-minister of West Bengal Mr. Buddhadev Bhattacharjee during a visit to Darjeeling for holding talks with the Caretaker Administrator, Subash Ghisingh in the middle of 2007 while refusing an appointment to the Opposition Political Parties had stated that there were no Opposition Political Parties in Darjeeling and he had no knowledge of the presence of Opposition Parties. But after a couple of months the Left Front Government led by him were made to bow before the GJMM by its four days movement and he even invited them to Kolkata on 13th February, 2008 at 3 P.M. for negotiation. A delegation comprising Roshan Giri, Anmol Prasad, Alok Kanta Thulung, Tilak Chandra Roka, Madhukar Thapa and Bimal Darjee led by Kaman Singh Ramudamu, the Vice-President of GJMM reached Kolkata and attended the meeting with the Chief-Secretary Amit Kiran Deb, Home secretary, Prasad Ranjan Roy, the Divisional commissioner B.L. Meena and the Darjeeling District Magistrate Rajesh Panday at the Writer's Building. The delegation stood firm sticking to their guns that led to seek two days time (14th to 15th February 09) by the Government of West Bengal for removal of Subash Ghisingh whom the Government had pampered and allowed to declare the self-styled king of Darjeeling. The meeting had facilitated the withdrawal of Fast-unto-Death in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. But after the expiry of time begged by the government, the Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb made it clear through media the non-acceptance of the demand of GJMM. The following day the GJMM resumed its 'Fast-Unto-Death' as earlier in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. On the very day of the resumption of the fast on 16th February 08, the Election to the post of the chairman of Darjeeling Municipality lying vacant due to the demise of the chairman in office was scheduled to take place. But the GJMM as a part of their movement decided to obstruct the proceedings for that scheduled election by way of picketing the premises of the Municipality Office. The fifteen Commissioners belonging to GNLF made their entry into the Municipality office around 2 A.M on the scheduled day locked the doors from inside to obstruct the entry of thirteen Commissioners belonging to GJMM. On being informed of the development, the people picketed the entire Municipality Office complex till 9 P.M. and the Observer to that scheduled election deputed by government along with thirteen Commissioners could not take part in that forcefully manipulated election. However it seemed that the Government was inclined to accord its approval of the Election keeping aside the Democratic norms and principal.

After the rejection of the demands by the West Bengal government, the GJMM resumed Fast-unto- Death movement from 17th February 08 in Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong. But on the same day Subash Ghisingh arrived at Siliguri Pintail village after lobbying in Delhi and told the media that there was every possibility of passing the sixth Schedule Bill by the Parliament during the Budget Session that was scheduled to begin from 21st February, 2008. On hearing the arrival and press-meet of Subash Ghisingh, the supporters of GJMM prepared to blockade every entry point and prevent him from reaching Darjeeling. On the next day, 18th February, 2008 the supporters of GJMM and CPRM started pouring down to Siliguri from early morning, demanding the Removal of Subash Ghisingh from the Caretaker-administratorship of DGHC and cancellation of the proposed Sixth Schedule for Darjeeling. But large contingents of armed police forces with arms obstructed the masses at several places for not allowing them to reach Pintail Village where Subash Ghisingh was lodging.

It seemed that the Government of West Bengal was determined to impose Sixth Schedule against the wishes of the people and to keep Subash Ghisingh on the political-administrative affairs of Darjeeling. Thus, the GJMM being forced to mount their pressure on Government declared indefinite strike from 20th February, 2008. The strike was total and peaceful. But the CPM from Siliguri sent a number of people led by Mukul Sengupta to Salbari for opposing the strike, despite knowing well that the area was predominantly inhabitated by Nepali speaking People. Mukul Sengupta dared to tell the people of Salbari to withdrawing the strike, as the area was not being included within DGHC. But the people resisted him telling that Salbari is a part and parcel of Darjeeling district and he along with his men was escorted back to Siliguri by police.

The callous and unmindful attitude of the West Bengal government and subtle attempt of the CPM to ferment a divide in between the people of hills and plain of Darjeeling district compelled the GJMM to take a decision of organising a Fast-unto-Death programme at the premises of the Sub-divisional Office at Siliguri from 21st February, 2008. A group of people left for Siliguri from Darjeeling hill in the early morning for taking part in the hunger strike at Siliguri. The news spread like wild-fire and the people from Darjeeling hills and the periphery of Siliguri started going to the proposed site for extending their moral support to boost the spirit of the participants. But the police began to barricade and blockade the different points of roads connecting Siliguri and arrested indiscriminately the people having Mongoloid Face who had reached the proposed site of Fast-unto-Death at Siliguri. However, people pushing the barricades reached Darjeeling More which is situated two kilometres away from the sub-divisional office of Siliguri and the arrested people numbering forty six started Fast-Unto-Death inside the police Hazat. At such a critical juncture the administration took the decision of holding negotiations that ultimately settled the unconditional release of the arrested and allowing for sitting in Fast-unto-Death at Dagapur, three kilometres away from the earlier proposed site. The reason for not permitting the programme of Fast-unto-Death to be held at the premises of the Sub-divisional Office, Siliguri was mentioned by the Municipality and Local self Government minister Asok Bhattacharjee that the protesters Gorkha were 'outsider' in Siliguri. The ‘so-called’ responsible government officials from Kolkata and Siliguri had also stated in the same vein to that of the minister. One of the police officials RJS Nalwa went to the extent of telling that "the protesters would be arrested--- they will not be allowed to go on a hunger strike in front of the S.D.O Office in Siliguri"-(The Telegraph 21st February, 2008). It seemed that their intellect, reason, wisdom and common sense, of propriety was politically blinded, as because the fact remains that Siliguri is a sub-division of Darjeeling district and the Assembly Constituency of Siliguri included Mirik Block which is a part of Kurseong Sub-division. The minister Asok Bhattacherjee was in the council of ministers of West Bengal, on being voted by the electorates of Mirik. But the same electorates coming from Mirik for taking part in hunger strike in the premises of SDO Office Siliguri were debarred, denied, arrested and blockaded giving the reason that they were OUTSIDERS IN SILIGURI. In the defence and security of Mother India, dead bodies of soldiers covered with the national tricolour reach Darjeeling hills with the honour of martyrs after every war, or skirmish since Independence through the days of the Kargil War. But the kith and kin of those very martyrs were labeled as OUTSIDERS in Siliguri and not allowed to sit in hunger strike by the government of West Bengal at the behest of the CPM that seemed to be intoxicated with Bengali chauvinism.

The administration carried the diktat and performed the duties to the fullest satisfaction of the political masters. In doing so, the law of the land and the right conferred by the Indian Constitution Article 19 to citizens seem to have been trampled. As because every citizen of India has the right to express his/her resentment for seeking justice by holding public meeting, rally, gherao, dharna, hunger strike etc. anywhere within India. But, Siliguri in spite of being a sub-division of Darjeeling within India the people from Darjeeling hills were denied obstructed and arrested for their attempt to sit in hunger strike on the ground that they were OUTSIDERS IN SILIGURI THAT WAS PRESUMED BY POLITICAL LEADERS. It was a naked violation and denial of constitutional, democratic and human rights of Nepali Speaking Citizens of India by the majority and ruling community of West Bengal with the administration at their command. But the parties, individuals, associations claiming to have been working for the protection and safeguard of the democratic and human rights of the people remained dumb spectators in the events of Siliguri before the administrative and political might of the CPM backed by rabid Bengali chauvinism. As a means of concealing and diverting the focus Subash Ghisingh was flown to Kolkata on 23rd February 08 in a planned way from Pintail village where he was holed up.

In presence of such vulnerable circumstances the leaders of CPRM namely, Taramani Rai, Gobind Chhettri, Arun Ghatani and Kishore Pradhan under the instructions of the party started contacting different political parties operating in Siliguri. In their effort, they succeeded in taking with the leaders of CPI (M-L), SUCI and CPI-M-L (Liberation) to the place of Fast-unto-Death at Dagapur to offer flowers and Khadas to the participants of the hunger strike on 22nd-23rd February, 2008 for their morale boosting and addressing a joint press conference for condemning the attitude of the government and lending support to the movement. The move further consolidated by waiting upon a deputation to the Additional District Magistrate, Siliguri for immediate removal of Subash Ghisingh from the care-takership of DGHC, scraping of the proposed sixth schedule and maintaining peace, solidarity and harmony among the different communities of the region. Leaflets in Bengla and Nepali were distributed and a massive rally of the four parties was also held on 29th February, 2008.

In Darjeeling, the Hill Employees' Union formed with the employees working in different Government and Semi-Government departments also decided in their meeting to resign in mass from their respective posts in case of imposition of Sixth Schedule by the Governments. The retired army personnel from officer to jawan held a meeting in Darjeeling Gymkhana Club where they decided to lend their moral and physical support to the movement led by GJMM. The meeting further resolved of pushing forward the demand for a homeland for Indian Gorkhas. Accordingly, the ex-servicemen organised meeting, dharna and rallies in Darjeeling, Siliguri and Delhi making a demand for a homeland for the Indian Gorkhas as per the provisions of the Indian Constitution.

The Fast-unto-Death embraced a greater dimension, as it spread to the premises of the eight Development Blocks of entire Darjeeling hills and token fasting also started in front of Mal Police Station in the Dooars. The Fast-unto-Death, indefinite strike, deteriorating the health and conditions of the majority of the participants massive rallies in different parts of Darjeeling followed by snowballing of the support to the movement from the entire region, left no alternative for the government except to hold negotiations. Thus, the Left Front Government succumbing under pressure invited the GJMM for talks with the Chief-Minister at Writer's on 27th February, 2008 at 6.30 P.M. And much awaited the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs submitted its Report on 28th February, 2008 with a note of caution and warning too to the government. Further, it is seen that the Committee had suggested the taking stock of situation in Darjeeling along with constitutional and political implications contained in the proposed bill of Sixth Schedule for Darjeeling. Thus, the adverse note of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and the protest from Darjeeling gaining a nature of mass movement, the UPA Government thought it wise to freeze the proposed Sixth Schedule for Darjeeling in an explicit manner. And, in Kolkata the inflexible and big-headed Chief-minister setting aside his busy schedule took the pain of holding rounds of hectic parleys with the delegation of GJMM comprising Rosan Giri, Pradip Pradhan, Dr. C.K. Subba, D.K. Pradhan, Anmol Prasad and Amar Lama led by Bimal Gurung and also confidentially with Subash Ghising. Finally the result of the parleys was made to be known by written press-release from Chief-minister on 29th February, 2008, wherein it was mentioned that Subash Ghisingh was given time till 10th March,2008 to resign.

The flashes of news from the press-release of the Chief-Minister and direction from the GJMM Leaders led to the withdrawal of the indefinite strike and the Fast-unto-Death. There were 234 participants in the Fast-unto-Death and they had refused taking medical help during the hunger strike. Hence, many of them were rushed for hospitalization after the withdrawal of fasting. Any protest, movement and expression of resentment by the people of Darjeeling against the unpalatable policy and decision of the government used to be taken as Anti-Bengali and Anti-plains people, by some ministers, bureaucrats, leaders, intellectuals who seemed to be clouded their own rabid chauvinism. But as a panacea to that kind of ill-conceived notion the Fast-unto-death movement from 17th to 29th February, 2008 was a mirror. As because among 234 participants in the Fast-unto-death there were 6 Marwari, 4 Bihari, 2 Bengali, 5 Muslim and one Harijan who were born and brought up in the region for which they were aspiring and struggling for separation from the administrative and political dominance of West Bengal. But the coverage of the movement in its right perspective has been deliberately or accidentally overlooked by most of the national media belonging to public and private sectors.

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