The Darjeeling hill region has been
observing ‘Shahid Diwas’ on July 27 since the fateful day in 1986 when
several activists of the separate statehood movement fell victim to
police bullets. On the eve of this historic day, the Communist Party of
India (Revolutionary) has put posters across Kalimpong town reminding
the public that only a separate state of Gorkhaland will realise the
dreams of the innocent martyrs.
The CPRM posters point out that just by
setting up autonomous administrative councils such as the Darjeeling
Gorkha Hill Council, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and
crying hoarse demanding the passage of the Sixth Schedule status for
Darjeeling will not fulfill the aspirations of those who sacrificed
their very lives. Even after the occurrence of such a sad incident, it
is unfortunate that people are still sticking with setups such as the
GTA and DGHC including the Sixth Schedule, scream the posters.
Observing Shahid Diwas each year on July
27 is just fanfare and an obligation that is not required as the
gatherings hold nothing of significance, asserts Kalimpong CPRM unit
president Kishore Pradhan. Not a single political setup in the hills is
truly indebted to the sacrifice made by so many people nearly three
decades ago, he said. Regional parties are busy making efforts to
strengthen their party activities and debating on whom should fall in
line to climb the party hierarchy instead of galvanising into a united
front to take forward the statehood movement. According to Pradhan, the
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Gorkha National Liberation Front brass has
totally failed to give a political shape to the statehood movement and
are just putting up a façade.
Further, CPRM secretary Mohan Paudel
alleged the real aspiration of the hill people has not found the right
direction given the narrow and self-centred interests of the powers that
be in the region. He said it is despicable to say the least that the
sacrifice made by 1,200 people in 1986 during the GNLF movement and the
seven lives that were willingly sacrificed have not been repaid their
rightful dues. Observing Shahid Diwas by paying floral tributes and
making inflammatory speeches will not give peace to the departed souls,
but what truly will is the earnest and sincere efforts by the
individuals who have the wherewithal to sacrifice their hearts and souls
to the statehood cause.(EOIC)