Dual citizenship issue, an aftermath of the Centre’s foul play and carelessness of hill’s leaders- BGP

Kalimpong, August 09:“The identity of the Gorkhas has been on threat”, said that Bharitya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) National Working President, Rev Dr Anos Das Pradhan today highlighting the recent dual nationality allegation labeled against the founding Vice Chancellor of the Sikkim University, Prof Mahendra P Lama. It may be noted that Prof Lama was recently alleged of a dual citizenship by a local Ph D scholar, Dr Shiva Kumar Sharma.

Speaking on the context, Dr Pradhan said that foremostly the Member of the Parliament, Manikumar Subba was targeted, followed by the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling and now it is Prof Lama. “It is high time for all the Gorkhas residing in the country to unite together under one banner and fight for their identity and nationality,” he stated.

Expressing his dissatisfaction, he further blamed the leaders in the hills sidelining such vital issues of the Gorkhas in the name of development. “They are more engrossed in their so- called developmental activities and are least concerned in solving the identity issue which every Gorkhas has been facing in the country. Hence, creation of Gorkhaland is a must for solving this issue,” he told. “Just wearing daura suruwal (traditional dress) and organizing various linguistics and ethnic programmes cannot fulfill the need for identity,” he added.

Likewise, Dr Pradhan also blamed the Central Government of conspiring against the Gorkhas. “The Government played a foul game during the agitation for recognizing the Nepali language and they are doing the same for Gorkhaland,” added the fumed BGP leader.