24 mins ago
Md Salim Demands Constitutional Autonomy for Darjeeling Hills
Md Salim of the CPM spoke about problems faced by people living in the Darjeeling hills.
He said residents need better education, drinking water, jobs and safety.
He argued that the central government has not properly solved these problems.
Instead, he said, the government has appointed special advisers and task forces.
Salim wants a permanent political solution for the hills.
His proposal is to give the region territorial autonomy under India’s Constitution.
Another CPM leader, Saman Pathak, said the party wants the strongest possible regional autonomy with constitutional protection.
The CPM also accused the BJP and RSS of not respecting India’s idea of unity in diversity.
CPM state secretary Md Salim called for a permanent political solution to the demands of Darjeeling hills residents.
He proposed territorial autonomy within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
Salim accused the BJP-led central government of diverting attention from education, drinking water, employment and safety concerns.
He criticized the Centre’s use of interlocutors and task forces instead of addressing what he called basic rights.
CPM’s Saman Pathak reiterated the party’s demand for the highest form of regional autonomy with constitutional guarantees.
- Who
- CPM state secretary Md Salim and Darjeeling district committee secretary Saman Pathak.
- What
- They called for permanent political and territorial autonomy for Darjeeling hills residents under the Indian Constitution.
- Where
- At Kalamandir in the Darjeeling hills, after a CPM meeting of workers from Darjeeling and Kurseong subdivisions.
- When
- Sunday; the report does not specify a date.
- Why
- The CPM said constitutional autonomy is needed to protect hill residents’ basic rights and address concerns over education, drinking water, employment and safety.
CPM’s position
Central government position as characterized by CPM
Political solution for the hills
CPM’s position
The CPM wants permanent territorial autonomy with a constitutional guarantee for Darjeeling hills residents.
Central government position as characterized by CPM
According to Md Salim, the BJP-led central government has not provided the permanent solution sought by the CPM.
Handling of local concerns
CPM’s position
The CPM says the priority should be addressing education, drinking water, employment and safety problems.
Central government position as characterized by CPM
According to Salim, the Centre has relied on interlocutors and task forces, which he described as a diversion from basic issues.
Constitutional values
CPM’s position
Salim said India’s Constitution is based on unity in diversity and accused the BJP and RSS of failing to follow that principle.
Central government position as characterized by CPM
The article reports the accusation but does not provide a response from the BJP, RSS or central government.
Key facts
- Main demand
- A permanent political solution through territorial autonomy within the Indian Constitution.
- Party
- Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM.
- Concerns cited
- Education, drinking water, employment and safety in the hills.
- Criticism of Centre
- Md Salim said the BJP-led central government was diverting attention through interlocutors and task forces.
- Regional demand
- The CPM called for the highest form of regional autonomy with a constitutional guarantee.
- Meeting location
- Kalamandir in the Darjeeling hill town.
Quotes
Saman Pathak
Secretary of the CPM’s Darjeeling district committee
“The BJP and central government are not sincere about redressing the basic issues of the hill residents. Instead, they are dangling lollipops, sometimes by appointing an interlocutor, or by forming a task force, to divert their attention from the very basic rights”
telegraphindia.com
“We have always demanded the highest form of regional autonomy with a constitutional guarantee. Only that highest form of autonomy will ensure the basic rights of the hill people and we will continuously keep on raising the issue”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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