Gangtok: A significant step was taken yesterday in the ongoing pursuit of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for 11 Gorkha sub-tribes as a delegation of community leaders, spearheaded by Darjeeling Member of Parliament Raju Bista, engaged in discussions with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram in the nation’s capital.
The delegation formally presented comprehensive ethnographic data and other pertinent documentation intended to bolster their appeal for the re-inclusion of these Gorkha communities within the official list of Scheduled Tribes.
Speaking after the meeting, MP Raju Bista, who also holds the position of National Spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), conveyed a sense of optimism, describing the interaction with the Union Minister as fruitful and noting the Minister’s apparent strong inclination towards supporting the Gorkha community’s cause. “We presented detailed reports and data in support of our long-standing demand. The minister assured us that he and his Ministry are working hard to speed up the process,” Bista stated, highlighting the commitment expressed by the Minister.
The aspiration for ST recognition for these 11 currently unlisted Gorkha sub-tribes has persisted for a considerable period. These communities have been advocating for official recognition and equitable treatment under the Scheduled Tribe classification, which would consequently grant them access to constitutionally mandated safeguards, various welfare programs, and reserved quotas in educational institutions and government employment opportunities.
Minister Jual Oram, recognized for his deep understanding of matters concerning tribal populations, acknowledged the intricate nature of the procedures involved. He clarified that the formal pathway to inclusion in the ST list necessitates several stages, encompassing evaluation by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and subsequent endorsement from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Nevertheless, he reassured the visiting delegation of his Ministry’s unwavering dedication to expediting the process and minimizing any avoidable delays.
Accompanying MP Bista in this crucial delegation were prominent figures within the Gorkha community, including Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Chief Bimal Gurung, President of the 11 Gorkha Jaati Mahasangh MS Rai, GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri, and Govind Pradhan. The collective presence of these influential leaders underscored the unified stance and the profound importance the Gorkha community ascribes to this protracted issue.
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