DARJEELING, 17th Feb 2025: Darjeeling Member of Parliament Raju Bista has intensified demands in Parliament for the immediate inclusion of 11 historically marginalized Gorkha sub-tribes into the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, spotlighting a decades-long struggle for constitutional recognition. The move seeks to address systemic exclusion faced by Gurung, Bhujel, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami, Yakkha, and Dhimal communities, whose tribal status was revoked post-independence without consultation.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Bista underscored that these sub-tribes were officially classified as “Hill Tribes” under British colonial rule until 1947. However, their recognition was abruptly withdrawn after India’s independence, stripping them of access to affirmative action benefits. While seven sub-tribes—Sherpa, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tamang, and three others—were later reinstated as STs, the remaining 11 groups continue to grapple with political and socio-economic marginalization.
“The Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars regions have long been administered under tribal-specific frameworks, yet 11 indigenous Gorkha communities remain excluded from their rightful status,” Bista stated. He emphasized that the areas’ unique administrative history, including provisions under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 and the Scheduled District Act of 1874, were designed to protect tribal populations. Despite this legacy, the denial of ST status has hindered access to education, employment, and welfare schemes for these groups.
Historical Context and Constitutional Concerns
Bista criticized the Registrar General of India (RGI) for perpetuating “unsubstantiated fears” that granting ST status could trigger illegal immigration from neighboring countries. He dismissed these claims as baseless, arguing that documented land records and stringent citizenship laws already safeguard against demographic shifts. “The RGI’s apprehensions ignore ground realities. These communities are indigenous to India, with ancestral ties to this land spanning centuries,” he asserted.
The MP highlighted that the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) recommended the inclusion of these sub-tribes in 2013, followed by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry’s endorsement in 2019. However, bureaucratic delays and unresolved objections from the RGI have stalled progress. Bista warned that further inaction would violate constitutional mandates under Article 342, which empowers Parliament to designate STs based on historical and cultural distinctiveness.
Community Impact and Legal Imperatives
Exclusion from the ST list has exacerbated socio-economic disparities in the region. For instance, a 2022 study by the Darjeeling-based Centre for Gorkha Studies found that households from excluded sub-tribes reported 37% lower enrollment in higher education and 42% fewer government jobs compared to ST-recognized counterparts. Activists argue that recognition would unlock reservations in legislatures, public sector roles, and scholarships critical for upward mobility.
Bista also addressed identity erosion, noting that non-recognition has forced many to abandon traditional practices tied to land and heritage. “Without legal safeguards, their cultural survival is at risk,” he added, citing the Yakkha and Dhimal communities’ dwindling populations in census data.
Political Momentum and Next Steps
The demand has garnered cross-party support in West Bengal, with regional groups like the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) staging rallies. Meanwhile, the Bengal government forwarded a proposal to the Centre in 2021 backing the inclusion, aligning with Bista’s push.
As Parliament deliberated, Bista urged the Home Ministry to table the proposal promptly. “Justice delayed is justice denied. Every moment of inaction perpetuates historical wrongs against India’s own indigenous people,” he concluded.
The issue now hinges on the RGI’s response and parliamentary consensus, with advocates demanding resolution before the 2024 general elections. For the 11 sub-tribes, the battle transcends politics—it is a fight for dignity, identity, and survival.
