The Gorkhaland Movement in Darjeeling: Exploring the Quest for a Separate State

Abstract

This study attempts to provide a detailed account of the Gorkhaland movement in West Bengal, India's Darjeeling Hills. This study digs into the movement's historical, cultural, and political elements, offering light on the movement's aims, obstacles, and relevance. The Gorkhaland movement is rooted in the peculiarity of the Darjeeling Hills and the aspirations of the region's Gorkha ethnic population. The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), which advocated for statehood, was at the forefront of the campaign in the 1980s. The Gorkha community experienced challenges linked to cultural identity, language, and political representation during the agitation, which included lengthy unrest, strikes, and clashes with security forces.This study investigates the movement's historical setting, connecting its origins to the colonial era and subsequent socio-political developments. It investigates the Gorkhas' cultural identity and their sense of marginalization, which fueled their aspiration for a separate state. It also looks at the socioeconomic aspects that lead to the Gorkha community's grievances and demands.