12 points stand of GTF against GTA and its election

1. The formation of Gorkhaland Task Force with those who are sincerely committed to the cause of separation from Bengal and the creation of separate state of Gorkhaland is in itself confirms the fact that nothing less than Gorkhaland is acceptable to the Gorkhas of this Nation. This was the top-most priority in the agenda of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh since 2006. The CPRM was formed in 1996 when pro-Gorkhaland Marxists left CPM and they are committed to this cause ever since then. For AIGL their President Madan Tamang was killed as Gorkha League was opposed to any other set-up less than Gorkhaland. The Gorkhaland Rajya Nirman Morcha was created in 2010 for Gorkhaland only.
2. GOTAFO, therefore maintains that the idea of GTA itself is flawed. GTA, in fact, is a betrayal of the aspirations of all Indian Gorkhas who fervently desire the creation of Gorkhaland. The movement and the accompanying sacrifices of the people in and outside the hills have been for Gorkhaland and not for GTA. The mandates given in the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 and the Assembly elections in 2011 were also ONLY for Gorkhaland. The support garnered from the Terai-Dooars and from all over India was ONLY in the name of Gorkhaland.

3. GTA is not only a betrayal of the aspirations of the 1.25 crore Indian Gorkhas, it is also a conspiracy of the Bengal Government to thwart the creation of Gorkhaland. We believe that GTA is a stumbling block in the creation of Gorkhaland and that Gorkhaland cannot be created as long as GTA exists.

4. The idea of ‘Gorkha majority area’ and the recommendations of the Shymal Sen Commission arising out of this idea is an insult to the Gorkhas in India, particularly the Gorkhas of the Terai-Dooars area. This recommendation has ensured that the creation of Gorkhaland with the Terai-Dooars area will be more difficult than ever before. The present idea of GTA without the Dooars is adding insult to injury.

5. In the context of such a scenario, GTA elections should be seen as an attempt by the Bengal Government to legitimize the farce that they have presented as a solution to the issue of Gorkhaland.

6. GTA is the same old DGHC in all respect. Change of nomenclature does not change the character and nature of any individual or organization.

7. By holding the elections to the GTA the government wants to prove that – (1) People of Darjeeling Hills and 18 mouzas have accepted GTA as an alternative to Gorkhaland and (2) People of Darjeeling Hills and 18 mouzas have accepted that the Terai-Dooars area does not belong to the Gorkhas.
8. By agreeing to accept the GTA, the people of the three-hill sub-divisions, including the leadership of the area, have betrayed, for the SECOND TIME, the people of the Terai and Dooars region. The sacrifice and the martyrdom of the people of the Terai and Dooars have been ignored. The Gorkha Janamukti Morch has insulted the people of the Terai-Dooars and the Gorkhas in other parts of the country.
9. Now, therefore in betraying the cause of the Gorkhas of India, and by agreeing to the GTA arrangement, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha and those signatories to the GTA Agreement have lost the moral authority to lead any further movement in the name of Gorkhaland. They have also lost all moral authority to call upon the strength and solidarity of their brothers and sisters outside the hills.
10. GOTAFO, therefore desires that movement for Gorkhaland will now have to be centered in Terai and Dooars. as the so-called group of people claiming mandate now no longer worthy of the trust placed on them. The leadership of the next genuine, uncompromising leadership will also have to come from the Terai and Dooars. For this cause GOTAFO wishes to authorize the General Secretary of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh to facilitate the expression of a sincere movement for Gorkhaland from Terai-Dooars..
11. GOTAFO once again appeals to the right-thinking people of the hills to build an opinion against participation in the GTA elections.
12. We believe that participation in the GTA elections, both as a contestant and as a voter, is to endorse the anti-Gorkhaland policies of the Bengal Government. You will be strengthening the hands of those who believe in BANGA BHANGA HOBENA. But we believe that the area in the proposed Gorkhaland never belonged to Bengal and cannot remain in Bengal.
THEREFORE WE APPEAL TO YOUR CONSCIENCE; WE APPEAL IN THE NAME OF THE MARTYRS; WE APPEAL IN THE NAME OF GORKHALAND TO REJECT GTA AND WORK TOWARDS ESTABLISHING NATIONAL IDENTITY AND ENSURING POLITICAL SECURITY OF GORKHAS IN iNDIA.

JAI GORKHA, JAI GORKHALAND.

Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan
CHAIRMAN
GORKHALAND TASK FORCE

Adopted at a meeting held on 6th July 2012 and released for and on behalf of the Constituents and supporters.