Bengaluru: Gorkhalis hold global protest

Bengaluru: The Gorkha community in Bengaluru took part in a “non-partisan march”, where people from around the world rallied in support of creation of Gorkhaland. The rally started at Mysore Bank Circle and ended at Freedom Park. Over 800 Gorkhas from the city took part.  

The organisers said that they are not affiliated to any party, but felt the pain afflicted on Gorkhas in Darjeeling and adjoining areas. “We all march together as one, united by the common cause of Gorkhaland. We march to lend our voices to our brothers and sisters back home. We will march for the dreams and aspirations of our ancestors, our children and our identity,” said Mr Siddharth Bhitrikoty, who heads the movement in South India. “This is a historic movement for us. We want our people to know that we will keep this movement alive from the outside,” he said. 

The community leaders plan to reach the decision makers in the government through various nonviolent protests and by organising more global events. “Bengaluru will not stop till we get Gorkhaland,” he said.

The protestors demanded representation of all Gorkhas as a united community isolated from political endorsements, righteous examination of the situation in Darjeeling and transitional justice to the martyrs of the movement. At the protest, they also raised funds for the people in the hills who are facing shortage of food and basic amenities. They raised Rs 1.05 lakh.