Appointment of Interlocutor for Gorkhaland Talks | 22 Oct 2025

Source:IE 

Why in News? 

The Union Government has appointed the former Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) as interlocutor to engage with Darjeeling hill leaders on key demands, including Gorkhaland statehood and ST status for 11 Gorkha sub-tribes.  

• The move aims to find a political resolution to long-standing identity and autonomy issues in the region. 
• However, the West Bengal state government has criticized the decision as "unilateral" and inconsistent with the principles of cooperative federalism. 

What Makes the Gorkhaland Movement a Complex Federal Issue? 

• Constitutional Provision: Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new states or alter existing boundaries. 
  • The state legislature’s opinion is consultative, not binding, ensuring national flexibility. 
  • However, frequent boundary demands, such as Gorkhaland, strain Centre–State relations and test India’s federal harmony. 
  • The demand, therefore, is not just political but also a test of constitutional accommodation within the Indian Union. 
• Demand for a Separate State: Demand for Gorkhaland has been Central to Gorkha identity politics since the 1980s, reflecting aspirations for recognition and self-governance. 
  • Proposed to include Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars regions within West Bengal. 
• Demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: 11 Gorkha sub-tribes—including Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Tamang, and others—seek ST recognition. 
  • Would enable access to reservation benefits, education, and government jobs. 
  • Despite multiple assurances, the recognition process remains pending, deepening community frustration. 
• Concerns over the Agnipath Scheme: The short-term Agnipath military recruitment policy created uncertainty among Nepali-origin Gorkhas, traditionally serving in the armed forces. 
  • Nepal raised concerns that it may violate the 1947 Tripartite Agreement, which guaranteed pension and service rights. 
• Geopolitical Sensitivities: Reports indicate China’s possible interest in recruiting Gorkhas, raising strategic concerns. 
  • Maintaining robust India–Nepal–Darjeeling coordination is vital for border stability and preventing external influence. 

What is the Gorkhaland Movement? 

• Origins (1980s): The demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland was first raised by Subhash Ghising, founder of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF). 
  • The agitation, driven by identity and administrative concerns, witnessed widespread violence and prolonged strikes during the 1980s. 
• 2017 Agitation: 
  • The movement resurfaced strongly in 2017, leading to 104 days of strikes and clashes across Darjeeling and adjoining hills under the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). 
• Institutional Attempts: 
  • 1988: Formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) after a tripartite agreement between the Centre, the West Bengal Government, and GNLF. 
  • 2011: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) replaced the DGHC through another tripartite accord signed with the Centre, West Bengal Government, and GJM. 
  • GTA was designed to provide administrative autonomy within the framework of West Bengal but has been criticized for limited powers and ineffective governance.

What Steps Have Been Taken to Address the Concerns of the Gorkhaland Demand? 

• Administrative Reforms: Establishment of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (1988) and later the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (2011) to grant limited autonomy in local governance, development, and cultural matters. 
  • Regular elections to GTA aimed to ensure political participation of local Gorkha leaders. 
• Dialogue and Peace Initiatives: The Centre has periodically held tripartite talks with the West Bengal Government and Gorkha leadership to address grievances and prevent unrest. 
• Cultural and Ethnic Recognition: Several Gorkha festivals and cultural events have been granted recognition and promotion under Ministry of Culture schemes. 
  • Inclusion of Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (1992) provided linguistic and cultural legitimacy. 
• Review of ST Status Demand: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Anthropological Survey of India have conducted studies to assess eligibility of 11 Gorkha sub-tribes for ST inclusion. 
• Security and Economic Measures: Focus on improving infrastructure, tourism, and livelihoods in the Darjeeling hills to reduce dependence on agitation-based politics. 
  • The Centre and State have promoted tea, horticulture, and eco-tourism initiatives as part of regional development. 

What Measures Can Effectively Address the Gorkhaland Demand? 

• Strengthen Local Governance: Empower the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) with greater fiscal and legislative powers, similar to the Bodoland Territorial Region. 
• Promote Inclusive Development: Invest in education, tea industry reforms, horticulture, and eco-tourism under schemes like PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region) and PRASAD for tourism. 
• Address ST Status Demands: Expedite the review to include eligible Gorkha sub-tribes under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, ensuring access to benefits from schemes like Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana and TRIFED initiatives. 
• Strengthen Strategic and Cultural Ties: Deepen India–Nepal–Darjeeling cooperation in recruitment, trade, and cultural exchange under the Neighbourhood First Policy to reinforce unity and border stability. 
• Empower Youth and Communities: Promote entrepreneurship and skill training through PMEGP, Skill India, and Startup India to channel Gorkha aspirations toward peace and progress.