The special status of Gorkha Land is already recognized as the region enjoys special status in West Bengal state. Then what is wrong in giving separate statehood to Gorkhaland? Incidentally, many states were formed on basis of language- Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam. Then what is wrong in forming a separate Gorkhaland state on basis of Nepali language?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telangana-decision-renews-gorkhaland-demand-mamata-hits-out-at-upa/410777-37-64.html

It may me be possible that after some time Nepal will claim that Gorkhaland is ours. In my district Punjabi is speaking language. It means Punjabi can claim seprate state.

The legitimacy of demand for Gorkhaland is proved by the very fact that all political parties in West Bengal favor autonomy to the region but within the state. Why limit to autonomy in the state? why not statehood. The issue is only foolhardiness and ego or West Bengal politicians. The district, town and streets speaking any languages cannot be compared to larger area like North Bengal including Darjeeling. Such comparison is ridiculous.

However, as the Gorkhaland movement leaders are going to talk with central government, the general strike should not be indefinite and some breathing space need be given to all to discuss the issue and resolve it.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indefinite-strike-in-darjeeling-from-saturday-to-press-for-gorkhaland/1/297387.html

Why did they agree to the formation of Gorkhaland Hill Council in the first place and backing out now? What material changes have taken place to justify the demand of statehood over the last one year? As far your calling the leaders of all parties in West Bengal with choicest and not so charitable terms , I am happy with their being 'foolhardy', 'egoistic' and all that you have been generously heaping upon them. Thank God, that they have been sane this time around on this issue!!!! And if you care to go through the pages of history you would meet many more 'foolhardy' and 'egoistic' Bengali leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Deshbandhu C.R.Das and others who never thought through such narrow political prism. What about Rabindranath Tagore and his celebrated poem ' where mind is without fear'? Need I quote and happy to do so!!

Where The Mind Is Without Fear
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

The very formation of Gorkhaland Hill Council proves that the region has a distinct identity. Then why should West Bengal insist on retaining the region while agreeing to give autonomy. The comments are only in context of the current Gorkhaland issue and are not in any way related to other matters and historic personalities. Incidentally, Darjeeling was not in Bengal before independence.

Here is a link that clearly establishes that the region of Darjeeling and around was never part of Bengal. For administrative convenience, some arrangement was made by British. Ironically, the West Bengal politicians have been encouraging Bangladeshi illegal migrants and using them as vote bank to rule in the region.

http://www.merinews.com/article/history-proves-that-darjeeling-was-never-a-part-of-bengal/15888926.shtml

Here is a link that clearly establishes that the region of Darjeeling and around was never part of Bengal. For administrative convenience, some arrangement was made by British. Ironically, the West Bengal politicians have been encouraging Bangladeshi illegal migrants and using them as vote bank to rule in the region.

http://www.merinews.com/article/history-proves-that-darjeeling-was-never-a-part-of-bengal/15888926.shtml

It is not my wont to look to links to justify what I don't consider in my heart of hearts to be in line with whatever little knowledge I have I never arm myself with secondary sources. If historical wrongs and rights are restored then the entire world would wear a radically different look altogether! Some eminent historians and our politicians like Sardar Patel and Pandit Nehru never expressed themselves in favor of linguistic or sub-national states as they were acutely aware of the fact that India's past subjugation owed to internecine and fratricidal wars which provided ample scope and opportunities for invaders to establish their rule by following the infamous ' divide and rule'. It is amazing that even in Post-Independent India our politicians have been indulging in this most destructive game of vivisection of India. If you are all for it, I have nothing further to add except to reminisce some funny incidents yet not devoid of meanings in our childhood days. There used to be football matches among various localities of our town and any result would trigger off violence such was intensity of local. divisive feelings. I wonder if you are not pandering to the baser sub-nationalism of Gorkhas. West Bengal's loss is not necessarily India's gain after all all we are Indians!!!

The special status of Gorkha Land is already recognized as the region enjoys special status in West Bengal state. Then what is wrong in giving separate statehood to Gorkhaland? Incidentally, many states were formed on basis of language- Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam. Then what is wrong in forming a separate Gorkhaland state on basis of Nepali language?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telangana-decision-renews-gorkhaland-demand-mamata-hits-out-at-upa/410777-37-64.html

Telgu, Tamil are India languages and Tamil and Telgu speaking peoples are of Indian origin. On other hand Nepali is not Indian language and Nepalies are also not of Indian origin. Large number of Nepali are also living in Uttrakhand. It may be possible that after some time Nepal will claim that Gorkhaland is part of Nepal.

The special status of Gorkha Land is already recognized as the region enjoys special status in West Bengal state. Then what is wrong in giving separate statehood to Gorkhaland? Incidentally, many states were formed on basis of language- Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam. Then what is wrong in forming a separate Gorkhaland state on basis of Nepali language?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telangana-decision-renews-gorkhaland-demand-mamata-hits-out-at-upa/410777-37-64.html

Telgu, Tamil are India languages and Tamil and Telgu speaking peoples are of Indian origin. On other hand Nepali is not Indian language and Nepalies are also not of Indian origin. Large number of Nepali are also living in Uttrakhand. It may be possible that after some time Nepal will claim that Gorkhaland is part of Nepal.

Quite a possibility!! Then we would have more than one 'Gorkhaland' in India!!!
{CJATTACHMENT ["id": 10780]}

The issue of Gorkhaland may be debatable. It is for all parties to discuss the issue without preconceived notions in an environment of mutual trust and good will. But there is no attempt in that direction. Instead the West Bengal government is suppressing the movement with heavy hand. Also some local channels in the region have been blocked. Apparently, freedom of expression is first casualty.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/WestBengal/Bengal-govt-closes-local-news-channel-in-Darjeeling/Article1-1106358.aspx

It needs be kept in mind that Gorkhaland demand is not for separation. This is just for separate state within India, which is as good or bad as similar demand elsewhere. Reorganization of territory as a new state or union territory should not be considered a loss for the West Bengal state. Unfortunately, west Bengal government is behaving strangely.

The special status of Gorkha Land is already recognized as the region enjoys special status in West Bengal state. Then what is wrong in giving separate statehood to Gorkhaland? Incidentally, many states were formed on basis of language- Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam. Then what is wrong in forming a separate Gorkhaland state on basis of Nepali language?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telangana-decision-renews-gorkhaland-demand-mamata-hits-out-at-upa/410777-37-64.html

Telgu, Tamil are India languages and Tamil and Telgu speaking peoples are of Indian origin. On other hand Nepali is not Indian language and Nepalies are also not of Indian origin. Large number of Nepali are also living in Uttrakhand. It may be possible that after some time Nepal will claim that Gorkhaland is part of Nepal.

Quite a possibility!! Then we would have more than one 'Gorkhaland' in India!!!
{CJATTACHMENT ["id": 10780]}

We have many such lands already in our country, we have yet to name them only. If the same political scenario goes on, we shall see strange names coming up soon for newer states. "Divide and rule " is the only mantra our rulers inherited from former bosses. To top it all, all are welcome from anywhere and take their pick.

The special status of Gorkha Land is already recognized as the region enjoys special status in West Bengal state. Then what is wrong in giving separate statehood to Gorkhaland? Incidentally, many states were formed on basis of language- Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam. Then what is wrong in forming a separate Gorkhaland state on basis of Nepali language?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telangana-decision-renews-gorkhaland-demand-mamata-hits-out-at-upa/410777-37-64.html

Telgu, Tamil are India languages and Tamil and Telgu speaking peoples are of Indian origin. On other hand Nepali is not Indian language and Nepalies are also not of Indian origin. Large number of Nepali are also living in Uttrakhand. It may be possible that after some time Nepal will claim that Gorkhaland is part of Nepal.

Quite a possibility!! Then we would have more than one 'Gorkhaland' in India!!!
{CJATTACHMENT ["id": 10780]}

We have many such lands already in our country, we have yet to name them only. If the same political scenario goes on, we shall see strange names coming up soon for newer states. "Divide and rule " is the only mantra our rulers inherited from former bosses. To top it all, all are welcome from anywhere and take their pick.

@Sunil

If I am to put it more metaphorically, are we not heading for a situation , given to extraordinary zeal of our current crop of politicians to exploit sub-regional and sub-national sentiments to achieve their very mean and narrow ends, to drive out 'Mother India' to seek refuge in another planet???

I always not I favour of smaller states, though people of that region should be telling more about, as all these issues were in pause, but after announcement of Telengana as separate state hood, the demand for all the other states are now again in the limelight. It is not a good idea to create state along the lines of languages as India has many languages and this would create more problems in the future. In the history of India, Odisha was formed as the first language state in 1936.

The special status of Gorkha Land is already recognized as the region enjoys special status in West Bengal state. Then what is wrong in giving separate statehood to Gorkhaland? Incidentally, many states were formed on basis of language- Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam. Then what is wrong in forming a separate Gorkhaland state on basis of Nepali language?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telangana-decision-renews-gorkhaland-demand-mamata-hits-out-at-upa/410777-37-64.html

Telgu, Tamil are India languages and Tamil and Telgu speaking peoples are of Indian origin. On other hand Nepali is not Indian language and Nepalies are also not of Indian origin. Large number of Nepali are also living in Uttrakhand. It may be possible that after some time Nepal will claim that Gorkhaland is part of Nepal.

Quite a possibility!! Then we would have more than one 'Gorkhaland' in India!!!
{CJATTACHMENT ["id": 10780]}

We have many such lands already in our country, we have yet to name them only. If the same political scenario goes on, we shall see strange names coming up soon for newer states. "Divide and rule " is the only mantra our rulers inherited from former bosses. To top it all, all are welcome from anywhere and take their pick.

@Sunil

If I am to put it more metaphorically, are we not heading for a situation ,to extraordinary zeal of our current crop of politicians to exploit sub-regional and sub-national sentiments to achieve their very mean and narrow ends, to drive out 'Mother India' to seek refuge in another planet???

Perhaps we are heading toward era when Patel unified this country to convert it into a nation. The day is not far when we shall have districts or perhaps sub-divisions converted into states. That is more favorable to politicians.