1 week ago
Shah Forms Panel for Darjeeling’s Permanent Political Solution
Amit Shah met BJP leaders and allied groups to discuss the long-running political demands of Darjeeling.
The government then created a committee led by Pankaj Kumar Singh.
The committee will prepare a plan for the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars.
The plan is called a Permanent Political Solution.
The BJP has not explained exactly what this solution will be.
Many people in the hills understand it as a demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.
Some groups instead want an arrangement like the Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam.
Other groups said the meeting did not include every important voice from the hills.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting with the BJP and its allies in Siliguri on Saturday.
The Centre appointed a committee led by Pankaj Kumar Singh to develop a framework for a proposed Permanent Political Solution.
The proposal covers the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars and is intended to remain within India’s constitutional framework.
The BJP has not defined the Permanent Political Solution, which many in the hills interpret as a demand for Gorkhaland.
Some allies support arrangements like Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region, while non-BJP groups questioned whether the meeting represented all hill voices.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, and a committee led by Pankaj Kumar Singh were involved; other hill groups also expressed views.
- What
- The Centre formed a high-level committee to prepare a framework for a proposed Permanent Political Solution for the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars.
- Where
- Siliguri, West Bengal.
- When
- Saturday; the meeting followed Shah’s comments the previous day about delays in implementing new justice codes in West Bengal.
- Why
- The stated aim is to address the long-standing political aspirations and concerns of people in the Darjeeling region.
Centre and BJP Allies
Other Hill Voices and Alternative Demands
Progress toward a settlement
Centre and BJP Allies
BJP leaders and allies said the meeting produced concrete, practical and actionable steps and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to a lasting resolution.
Other Hill Voices and Alternative Demands
Some non-BJP allies argued that the invited participants did not represent the entire political voice of the hills.
Form of the solution
Centre and BJP Allies
Raju Bista said the proposed arrangement would remain within the constitutional framework, while J.B. Rai said an arrangement that does not divide West Bengal would be acceptable.
Other Hill Voices and Alternative Demands
Many in the hills interpret the undefined Permanent Political Solution as Gorkhaland, while Bimal Gurung has advocated an arrangement resembling Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region under the Sixth Schedule.
Territorial division
Centre and BJP Allies
During the Bengal Assembly election campaign, Amit Shah said West Bengal would not be divided.
Other Hill Voices and Alternative Demands
Gorkhaland supporters continue to demand a separate political arrangement, with GNLF supporters displaying slogans calling for Gorkhaland or a Sixth Schedule provision.
Key facts
- Meeting chair
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Committee chair
- Pankaj Kumar Singh
- Committee mandate
- Prepare a comprehensive framework for the proposed Permanent Political Solution
- Region covered
- Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars
- Constitutional position
- Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista said the proposed solution would remain within the Constitution
- BJP record
- The BJP has won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat continuously since 2009
- Unresolved definition
- The BJP has not publicly defined what the Permanent Political Solution entails
Quotes
Raju Bista
Darjeeling BJP member of Parliament
“Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji reiterated the Government of India’s firm and unwavering commitment to addressing these issues. He assured us that, under the decisive and visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi Ji, every sincere and possible effort will be made to address the legitimate aspirations of the people of our region and to secure a meaningful and enduring political resolution.”
telegraphindia.com
“The government has today (Saturday) appointed a High-level Committee under the Chairmanship of Sh. Pankaj Kumar Singh ji, to prepare the comprehensive framework of the proposed solution, marking an important step forward in this long-pending process.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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