Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Amit Shah Backs Permanent Political Settlement for Darjeeling Hills
Amit Shah met leaders from the hills of West Bengal in Siliguri.
They discussed problems faced by the Gorkha and other hill communities.
Many people in the region want their identity to be specially recognized.
They have also asked for more political power and protection under India’s Constitution.
The government said it wants a permanent solution.
A committee led by Pankaj Kumar Singh will study the issue and prepare a plan.
The plan is expected to stay within the Constitution.
The government has not yet shared the exact details.
Shah also said the Centre would consider other requests and provide financial help.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre would pursue a permanent political solution for the Darjeeling hills and Gorkha identity issue.
A committee led by former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Kumar Singh will prepare the settlement’s details and roadmap.
The proposal is to address hill residents’ demands within the Constitutional framework.
Representatives discussed distinct identity, constitutional recognition, political autonomy and other issues affecting West Bengal’s hill population.
The settlement’s details have not been released, while Shah promised sympathetic consideration of other demands and adequate central funding.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, West Bengal government officials, political representatives and hill leaders, including Gorkha community representatives.
- What
- The Centre formed or announced a committee to develop a permanent political settlement for the Darjeeling hills and the Gorkha identity issue.
- When
- The meeting and committee announcement took place on a Saturday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The meeting was held in Siliguri, concerning the Darjeeling hills and adjoining hill areas of West Bengal.
- Why
- The initiative responds to longstanding demands for distinct identity, constitutional recognition, greater autonomy and resolution of other hill-community issues.
Hill-community representatives
Central government
Identity and autonomy
Hill-community representatives
Hill representatives have sought recognition of a distinct identity, constitutional protections and greater political autonomy after decades without a final settlement.
Central government
The Centre says these concerns will be addressed through a permanent solution developed within the Constitutional framework.
Immediate details
Hill-community representatives
Community demands include a clear resolution of longstanding issues affecting the hills and adjoining areas.
Central government
The government has begun a committee process, but the proposed agreement’s specific provisions have not yet been disclosed.
- Committee leader
- Pankaj Kumar Singh, former Deputy National Security Advisor and the Centre’s interlocutor for the hills.
- Committee mandate
- Prepare a report, finalise the modalities of an agreement and develop a roadmap for a proposed settlement.
- Constitutional framework
- The proposed political solution is to be developed within the framework of the Constitution of India.
- Issues discussed
- The hill population’s problems, distinct identity, permanent political solution and constitutional recognition.
- Settlement status
- The specific details of the proposed settlement have not been made public.
- Financial assistance
- Amit Shah said adequate funding from the Centre would help address pending issues.
- Participants
- The meeting included West Bengal government and central officials, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, MPs Raju Bista and Harshvardhan Singla, and other hill leaders and regional representatives.
