The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) on Sunday rallied behind the state government’s decision to distribute land up to 5 decimals to tea garden workers at a time when the Opposition in Bengal launched a campaign to oppose the scheme in its present form.

The BGPM held a public meeting at Darjeeling Motor Stand on Sunday, accusing the Opposition of playing into the hands of the tea garden management.

Alok Kant Mani Thulung, president of the BGPM Darjeeling subdivision committee, said: “The Opposition leaders are playing into the hands of the management. The management doesn't want to distribute land to the tea workers.”

On August 1, the state government issued a notification to distribute land up to 5 decimals of land to tea garden workers and other estate residents in north Bengal.

The Opposition is against the scheme, saying there should not be a cap of 5 decimals as in many cases tea garden workers have more land.

Many Opposition leaders are also alleging that the state government might distribute land to private players after recovering land over 5 decimals from workers.

Some have also opposed the term “landless” workers and have argued that hill residents have been in possession of land for generations but only lacked documents.

With the Opposition parties making some dent among the garden workers, the BGPM hurriedly called the Sunday meeting to counter the charges, sources said.

“The reality is that most of the tea garden workers do not even have 5 decimals of land. Should these workers be denied their land?” asked Thulung, adding the BGPM had requested chief minister Mamata Banerjee to distribute the entire land in possession of workers to them.

The party clarified they would not force anyone to accept the land papers.

“If you do not want to accept the documents, don’t. We will not force anyone. We (the party) will, however, accept it (5 decimal land documents),” said Prabhaskar Blone, BGPM vice-president.

The BGPM said hill people should not discuss the past but focus on the present.

“Instead of discussing the 1850s, we must concentrate on what is happening in 2023. The Navami procession has more attendance than Phulpati (religious event of Gorkhas) processions. The culture of hill people across the Himalayas is under threat (under the present BJP government),” said Pokhrel.

Belligerence

BGPM leaders also used harsh language against the Opposition in the hills.

Amrit Yonzone, a BGPM leader, during his speech warned a section of youths challenging the teachers’ appointment by Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. “Volunteer teachers are angry. If they physically harm you, please don’t blame the BGPM leaders,” said Yonzone.

Blone, also a GTA Sabha member from Jorebunglow constituency, said he would give jobs only to party cadres. “If you want to file a case, file (it),” he said.

Sudhan Gurung, one of those who moved Calcutta High Court challenging the process of the GTA's teacher hire, later on Sunday filed an FIR against Yonzone with Darjeeling Sadar police against the contents of his speech.