Amit Shah meets Gorkha leaders to chart 'permanent solution' for Darjeeling hills
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday held a crucial meeting with senior hill leaders in Sukna, in the Darjeeling foothills, on the final day of his three-day visit to north Bengal. The discussions were aimed at finding a "permanent political solution" to the long-standing issues of the Darjeeling hills within the constitutional framework, according to officials.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was present at the meeting, along with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung and senior leader Roshan Giri, Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) chief Mann Ghisingh, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, several state ministers, BJP MLAs from the hills, and senior state government officials.
The meeting is expected to focus on the BJP's pre-poll promise of a permanent political solution for the Gorkha community and other residents of the hills, who have for decades demanded a separate Gorkhaland state. The demand for statehood has been a recurring theme in the region's politics since the 1980s, leading to periods of unrest and shutdowns.
Previous state governments attempted to address the issue through administrative arrangements, including the creation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 1988 and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in 2011. However, these bodies have been widely seen as inadequate in securing long-term peace, economic prosperity, and political stability in the region.
The meeting comes at a time when the Centre and the state government, both led by the BJP, are seeking to resolve the decades-old issue. The phrase "permanent political solution" has been used by the BJP leadership, but its exact contours remain unclear. Leaders from the hills have repeatedly insisted that only statehood can fully address the aspirations of the Gorkha community.
Political observers note that the meeting's location in Sukna, away from the hill town of Darjeeling, may be a strategic choice to send a signal of inclusivity, drawing in leaders from both the hills and the plains. The presence of Chief Minister Adhikari underscores the state government's involvement in the dialogue process.
The GJM and GNLF, once rivals, have been holding joint consultations on the way forward. Both parties have welcomed the Centre's initiative but have also stressed that any solution must be acceptable to the people of the hills. The Centre's approach is likely to involve a formula that goes beyond the existing council system, possibly with greater financial and administrative powers to the hill body.
However, no concrete details have been announced yet. The meeting is seen as the beginning of a structured dialogue, with further rounds expected in the coming months. The region's history of alienation and periodic violence makes the task challenging, but the current political alignment — with the BJP in power at both the Centre and the state — is viewed by many as a unique opportunity for a breakthrough.
The outcome of the talks is being closely watched not just in the hills but across the state, as any agreement could reshape the political landscape of north Bengal. For now, the participants have expressed optimism, with leaders from both sides describing the meeting as "positive" and "constructive," though they remained tight-lipped about the specifics.
The development holds significance for the broader national context as well, as it reflects the government's efforts to address regional aspirations while maintaining constitutional integrity. The challenge lies in balancing the demand for statehood with the administrative and financial feasibility of creating a new state, a decision that requires parliamentary approval.
