Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration or GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa made a historic appearance together at a public event, signalling a collaborative effort towards addressing community concerns, transcending political differences.
Despite their different political alienation – Golay with the BJP and Thapa with the Trinamool Congress-backed Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha – both leaders highlighted the importance of cooperation for the betterment of the Nepali-speaking community.
Invited by the Rai community to the Sakela Ubauli festival in Darjeeling, Golay and Thapa participated in a rally from Darjeeling railway station to Chowrasta, symbolising solidarity. On the shared platform, they reflected on the necessity of securing tribal status for marginalised Gorkha communities.
Reflecting on his personal connection to Darjeeling during the tumultuous Gorkhaland agitation of the late 1980s, Golay highlighted the cultural and communal bonds between Sikkim and Darjeeling. He stressed the imperative of addressing tribal issues collectively, pointing out the parallel demands for Scheduled Tribe status in both regions.
In Darjeeling, 11 communities advocate for ST status, while Sikkim adds the Maji community to the roster. Golay underscored the success of joint efforts, citing the inclusion of Nepali in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1992, spearheaded by Sikkim MP Dil Kumari Bhandari.
Thapa echoed Golay’s sentiments, commending Golay as the community’s sole Chief Minister and urging him to champion the tribal cause. Asserting that political differences should not hinder collaborative efforts on community issues, Thapa called upon Golay to lead the charge on tribal concerns.
The conversation extended to healthcare accessibility, with Golay announcing the establishment of help desks in Gangtok hospitals to aid patients from outside Sikkim. Highlighting the superior healthcare facilities in Sikkim at a fraction of the cost compared to private institutions in Siliguri, Golay affirmed the State’s commitment to extending medical assistance to neighbouring regions.
The convergence of Golay and Thapa, despite political disparities, signals a new era of cooperation and collective action for the welfare of the Nepali-speaking community across borders.
