Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Mamata Banerjee Protests Central Government's Appointment of Gorkha Interlocutor
West Bengal's leader, Mamata Banerjee, is upset because the central government appointed someone to talk about problems for the Gorkha people in Darjeeling Hills.
She thinks this is her state's job, not the central government's.
She wrote to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, saying they didn't ask her government first, which she thinks is unfair and against the rules.
She wants the Prime Minister to cancel this appointment, calling it an overreach of power and an attack on her state's independence.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote to PM Modi, protesting the appointment of a retired IPS officer as interlocutor for Gorkha issues.
She described the appointment as unilateral, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, lacking consultation with the state government.
Banerjee asserted that the state government holds jurisdiction over the matter under the GTA Act, 2011.
She argued that the central government has no authority to appoint an interlocutor for matters covered by state law.
Banerjee alleged that the appointment may be politically motivated and an attack on federalism and state autonomy.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- CM Banerjee protested the appointment of a retired IPS officer as the Interlocutor for Gorkha issues, citing lack of consultation and encroachment on state jurisdiction.
- When
- Monday, November 17, 2025
- Where
- Darjeeling Hills, West Bengal, India
- Why
- Banerjee argues the appointment is unconstitutional, unilateral, arbitrary, and violates the state's jurisdiction under the GTA Act, 2011, encroaching on federalism and state autonomy.
West Bengal Government
Central Government
Jurisdiction over Gorkha Issues
West Bengal Government
The West Bengal government, under the GTA Act, 2011, has exclusive jurisdiction over issues in the Darjeeling hills and asserts the Centre has no authority to appoint an interlocutor.
Central Government
The Central government appointed a retired IPS officer as an interlocutor for Gorkha issues, and their office has already started functioning.
Consultation and Authority
West Bengal Government
The appointment was unilateral, arbitrary, unconstitutional, and lacked consultation with the State government, constituting an encroachment on federalism and state autonomy.
Central Government
The Prime Minister’s Office acknowledged an earlier letter and advised the Home Minister to look into the matter, with the Ministry of Home Affairs subsequently issuing a memo about the interlocutor’s office functioning.
Justification for Appointment
West Bengal Government
The Centre has provided no explanation or justification for appointing the interlocutor and has acted without authority, potentially for politically motivated reasons to disturb the region's peace.
Central Government
N/A
- Date of Letter
- Monday, November 17, 2025
- Recipient
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Sender
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
- Subject of Letter
- Protest against the appointment of an interlocutor for Gorkha issues in Darjeeling Hills
- Governing Act Cited
- Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Act, 2011
- Date of MHA Memo
- November 10, 2025
Sources
Mamata again urges PM to withdraw order on appointing interlocutor on Gorkhas’ issues
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee again urges PM Modi to revoke Gorkha Hills interlocutor appointment
Mamata Banerjee Urges PM Modi To Withdraw Order Appointing Interlocutor On Gorkha Issues
Mamata Objects To Interlocutor’s Appointment In Darjeeling
‘Unconstitutional & arbitrary’: Mamata writes again to PM over appointment of interlocutor for Darjeeling hills
