Way forward

The agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state must be brought to a swift end through a solution which meets the aspirations of the Nepali-speaking people without hurting the sentiments of the Bengali-speaking majority, which is largely against the division of the state. The possible steps include:

♤ Gorkhaland on its own is not financially viable. Except tourism it doesn’t have much of its own resources. Tea industry is also facing crisis. The functioning of GTA needs to be improved and made accountable.

♤ The Government at the centre as well as the state needs to be more sensitive towards needs and aspirations of Gorkhas.

♤ Economic development of the region. Hospitals, schools, public services must be set up and existing ones need to be improved.

♤ Creation of an Autonomous State of Gorkhaland within an undivided West Bengal can be considered. Article 244 A provides for an autonomous state for certain tribal areas in Assam with its own legislature and council of ministers. By a constitutional amendment, the applicability of this article can be extended to West Bengal. Alternatively, through a constitutional amendment, an Article similar to Article 244 A, can be inserted as a new chapter in Part VI of the Constitution. This will enable the establishment of an Autonomous State of Gorkhaland, with a legislature and council of ministers within the existing state of West Bengal without bifurcating it.

At the same time agitators should also keep in mind that smaller and smaller states cannot be created on the basis of ever narrowing ethnic identities. Solutions need to be devised that are pragmatic as well as inclusive of the interests of all the inhabitants. Else, the ever increasing demands of new states will threaten the stability of the country by perpetuating the cycle of violence, counter-violence and protests.