CENTRE CONSIDERS SCHEDULED TRIBE STATUS FOR 11 GORKHA SUB-TRIBES.

Why in the news?

Centre contemplating granting Scheduled Tribe status to 11 Gorkha sub-tribes; BJP pledges support in Darjeeling ahead of elections.

About the Amit Shah’s Announcement:

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Centre is actively contemplating granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to 11 Gorkha sub-tribes.
  • Shah conveyed this message during a rally in Darjeeling, where he couldn’t be physically present due to adverse weather conditions.
  • Assuring support to the Gorkha community, Shah emphasised the BJP’s commitment to ensuring justice and prioritising Gorkha aspirations.
source:pinterest
About the Gorkhaland Issue:

  • Gorkhaland Composition: Consists of Nepali-speaking people from Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, and other hilly districts of West Bengal.
  • Origin of Demand: First initiated in 1907, with the term “Gorkhaland” coined in the 1980s by Subhash Ghising, founder of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).
  • Movement Focus: Primarily centred on the Darjeeling Hills, aiming for the establishment of a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/amit-shah-darjeeling-gorkha-community-9282589/