In a boost to the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJM)'s crusade for creation of a Gorkhaland state, the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRRP) today urged the Centre to carve out a separate state for the Gorkha people of Darjeeling Hills to enable them to express their distinct cultural and linguistic identity.
"The Gorkha people of Darjeeling Hills have a right to seek a separate territorial identity under the provisions of the constitution which will enable them to express their cultural and linguistic identity and govern themselves in the best socio-economic interests of the local people," the SHRPP president AD Subba told reporters here.
The Centre had created a number of smaller states like Uttarakhand, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand in recent years in fulfilment of the regional aspiration of the local people, he said, adding the Gorkhaland statehood demand should be considered on similar grounds.
On West Bengal's opposition to the statehood demand, Subba said that it was a manifestation of ''regional chauvinism'' by the Bengali people who seek to perpetuate their domination over the people of Darjeeling Hills and exploit its natural wealth without ever caring for the needs of the local people.
Stating that an expeditious resolution of the statehood demand was in the best interests of Darjeeling Hills and the country, the SHRPP president urged the Centre to take a firm decision on the issue at the tripartite meeting slated for December 21or else explain the reason as to why the separate state was not viable.
Comments