Archive · 28 Jul 2025
Apolitical Groups Mark Martyrs' Day in Darjeeling
Some groups in Darjeeling, who are not part of any political party, decided to honor Martyrs' Day.
This day remembers people who died fighting for Gorkhaland.
They named parking lots after two people who died a long time ago.
Usually, political parties take charge of this day, but these groups wanted everyone in the community to be part of it.
Many different groups joined in.
Meanwhile, political parties also held their own events to remember the day.
One politician gave money to help build a house for the widow of a martyr.
Apolitical organizations in Darjeeling marked Martyrs' Day, challenging political party dominance.
Martyrs' Day commemorates those killed during the Gorkhaland agitation in 1986.
Two parking complexes were named after martyrs Krishna Subba and Dewraj Sharma.
The martyrs, Krishna Subba and Dewraj Sharma, died in a clash in 1981.
Political parties also organized separate Martyrs' Day events across the hills.
- Who
- Apolitical organizations, including the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh and the Hill Transport Coordination Committee, along with various political parties.
- What
- Apolitical organizations marked Martyrs' Day, commemorating those killed in the Gorkhaland agitation.
- When
- Martyrs' Day is marked annually, with the main events held on Sunday.
- Where
- Darjeeling, India.
- Why
- Apolitical groups aimed to shift the focus of Martyrs' Day from political parties to community remembrance.
Apolitical Organizations
Political Parties
Control of Martyrs' Day
Apolitical Organizations
Martyrs’ Day should not be controlled by political parties.
Political Parties
Political parties traditionally organize Martyrs' Day events.
- Date of Kalimpong Incident
- July 27, 1986
- Number of Deaths in 1986 Incident
- 13
- Incident Date of Krishna Subba & Dewraj Sharma deaths
- September 7, 1981
- Organizations involved
- Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Hill Transport Coordination Committee
- MLA
- Neeraj Zimba