Leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which has succeeded in winning a measure of administrative autonomy from a “soft” West Bengal government in Darjeeling, are upset over critical voices against them being raised from among Gorkhas themselves, from other quarters.

The GJM is engaged in a war of words with high profile professor Mahendra P Lama, Founding Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University. The professor makes no secret of his distrust of the agitation for Gorkhaland. He also doubts the sincerity of the parties conducting the agitation for a separate Gorkha state. Expressing his views on different occasional, he claims to have documents which could strengthen the case for a separate state, according to media reports.

For the GJM, such views have proved deeply embarrassing. The fact that professor Lama is held in high repute locally and within his community, has not helped either. Dr Harka Bahadur Chhetri, the intellectual “face” of the GJM, recently hit back at professor Lama, urging upon him to take over the leadership of the movement for Gorkhaland, if he was so inclined. Attacking the professor’s academic status, he told newsmen that if he felt that political parties were insincere, he could start an agitation under his leadership. Agitations were not conducted best by those who participated in and organised academic seminars, instead of engaging themselves more actively. On the other hand, political parties which had agitated for a separate state, had carried out a long struggle and made notable sacrifices.

In an obvious bid to co-opt the professor within the GJM fold, Dr Chhetri appealed to him to make public whatever documents he held in his possession so that there could be an open discussion. Any suggestions the professor had to strengthen the case for a new state, too, would be welcome. If the GJM or others did not take heed of his inputs, professor Lama would certainly have ground to complain about their sincerity, but not before.

Incidentally, the professor believes that a tripartite accord between the centre, the state and the pro autonomy agitators under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution would be a better political option for the Gorkhas. The GJM has taken sharp exception to this, as it had been demanding a separate state all along, describing the present understanding reached with the West Bengal Government only as an interim arrangement. However, it is common knowledge that it is not as though professor Lama is the only one who has reservations about the capabilities of the present GJM leadership. Within Darjeeling itself, there are many Gorkha elders and leaders who are critical of leaders like Bimal Gurung and others in the GJM. (IPA)