Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)

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Gorkha Janmukti Morcha - Gorkha People Liberation Front
Headquarters Singamari, Darjeeling
Ideology Gorkha Nationalism
Political Objectivity The separate state of Gorkhaland within the frameworks of the Indian Constitution
Political Reach Darjeeling Hills and Dooars Terai
President Bimal Gurung
Vice - President R. P. Waiba
General Secretary Roshan Giri
Press and Publicity Secretary Binay Tamang
Founded 7th October 2007
Aliances None (But close ties with Sikkim Democratic Front)
Website http://www.gorkhajanmuktimorcha.org

FLAG

gorkha-janmukti-morcha-flag.gif
Three equal strips of Green, White and Yellow. The Green incorporates a rising sun, the white incorporates the Kanchenjunga range and the Yellow the crossed Khukuris. The green at the top symbolize the prosperity with knowledge of brightness, the white symbolizes peace and purity as Himalaya, and the golden yellow symbolizes the spirituality and pride of Khukuri.

INTRODUCTION

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Nepali गोर्खा जन्मुक्ती मोर्चा ) is a party based in Darjeeling, India. It was launched by Bimal Gurung in Darjeeling on the 7th of October 2007. Bimal Gurung was formerly the President of Singamari Tukvar Constituency (समिस्ती) of Gorkha National Liberation Front headed by Subash Ghisingh. The party is presently spearheading the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling Hills and Dooars Terai.


THE EVOLUTION

The evolution of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha can be traced back to the infighting brewing up in Gorkha National Liberation Front since the very signing of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Accord between the Central Government, State Government and Gorkha National Liberation Front on the 22nd of January 1988. While a great part of Gorkha National Liberation Front accepted the 'Accord' as the 'step towards statehood', a small but determined group rejected the 'Accord' as a 'betrayal' by Subash Ghisingh. Among the first leaders to leave Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and pursue 'Gorkhaland' independently was Chattray Subba. Later numerous leaders including C. K. Pradhan, D. K. Pradhan left the party and formed their own parties. Bimal Gurung until then was one of the staunchest lieutenants of Subash Ghisingh. However, there were known differences between the two. Subash Ghisingh was never comfortable in the presence of Bimal Gurung. Bimal Gurung would later remark in an interview with Beacon Online [The Himalayan Beacon] that he stopped going to the DGHC Secretariat as Subash Ghisingh felt unconformable in his presence. There was also a silent 'war of rivalry' being fought between the lieutenants of Subash Ghisingh. The first led by Deepak Gurung and the second led by Bimal Gurung.

The major source of dissatisifaction among a section of GNLF cadres and leaders was also the Six Schedule Bill that the party Supremo Subash Ghisingh proposed to the Tripartite Review Meeting in Delhi on the 7th of February 2001. It was no coincidence that an attack was launched at Saat Ghumtee in Pankhabari, Kurseong Subdivision on the life of Subash Ghisingh.

On the 1st of October 2007, the Union Cabinet approved the Sixth Schedule status for Darjeeling hills, less than two years after GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh signed the memorandum of settlement for the creation of a new council under it.1 Bimal Gurung not only became the first leader within the GNLF to reject and protest the imposition of Sixth Schedule Status in the Hills, he also became the first leader from any party to do so.2 The very next day All Gorkha Students Union also rejected the imposition of Sixth Schedule Status in Darjeeling Hills3. On the 3rd of October, the Darjeeling Branch President of GNLF held a Branch meeting and announced the 'expulsion of Bimal Gurung from the party'. The reason for the expulsion of Bimal Gurung from the party was given by Deepak Gurung as "“opposing the Sixth Schedule status for the hills and for his speeches against Subash Ghisingh, the party president”4. Bimal Gurung meanwhile denied the possibility of his expulsion from party saying that he was never a member of the party5.

Bimal Gurung was supported by people from outside his Singamari - Tukver Constituency (समिस्ती). Dinesh Gurung the Municipal Commissioner of Ward No 25 also a leader associated with GNLF became one of the first leaders to openly support Bimal Gurung and speak against Subash Ghising6.

On Sunday, the 7th of October 2007, Bimal Gurung launched Gorkha Janmukti Morcha [Gorkha People's Liberation Front] before a massive gathering of people at Motor Stand, Darjeeling. The party was supported by All Gorkha Students Union (AGSU). The AGSU President Roshan Giri in fact going on to become the General Secretary of the new party. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha was also supported by Akhil Bharatiya Nepali Anushuchit Jati Sangh — an association of Scheduled Castes who are unhappy with the Sixth Schedule status. The Akhil Bharatiya Nepali Anushuchit Jati Sangh President late K. S. Ramudamu presided over the meeting. Ramudamu later became the Vice President of the Party until his demise on July 21st 20087

gjm-22.jpg bimal-gurung-small.jpg
[Left to Right] Roshan Giri (General Secretary), Bimal Gurung (President), Late K. S. Ramudamu waving Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Flag on 6th of January 2008 at the beginning of a public meeting in Lebong. Photo by Barun Roy. Click here to enlarge the image Bimal Gurung pointing at the Khukuris on the GJM flag during an interview. Photo by Barun Roy. Click here to enlarge the image

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