INA Martyr Major Durga Malla’s 80th Balidan Divas Observed In Golaghat

Golaghat District Committee of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh – national social organisation of Gorkhas in India organized the 80th Balidan Divas

The Gorkhas across the country on Sunday observed Balidan Divas to honour the death anniversary of Major Durga Malla, a Gorkha martyr of the Indian National Army, who was hanged by the British on August 25, 1944, at Lal Kila.

Major Durga Malla was the first martyr from the Gorkha community to be executed by the British during the Indian freedom struggle.

To commemorate his 80th death anniversary, the Golaghat District Committee of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh – national social organisation of Gorkhas in India organized the 80th Balidan Divas at Bhanu Ismirti ‘Gorkha’ Bhawan in Barpathar, Golaghat, alongside their 6th Triennial Special Session, which aimed to reorganize the district committee.

The day began with the hoisting of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh flag by the BGP District President Dhan Prasad Limboo, followed by a tribute to the Martyrs by Secretary Ganesh Giri.

Vice President Bhakta Limboo, along with veteran community leader Biswanath Chetri, planted saplings as part of the commemoration.

Tributes were paid to Martyr Major Malla by eight community leaders, led by All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) Golaghat District General Secretary Karna Limboo, with additional contributions from other prominent leaders from Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha (ANSS), Assam Gorkha Sammelan (AGS), Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC).

Yuvaraj Gurung, National Council Member of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, who addressed the 6th Triennial Special Session presided over by Dhan Prasad Limboo through a recorded message due to illness was honoured with the Golaghat Gorkha Gaurav Award 2024 for over four decades of community service.

Other honorees included Ganesh Kumar Dewan for his social work over three decades in social engineering and community outreach programs like rural financial inclusion and scientific farming.

Veteran leader Biswanath Chetri was awarded Golaghat Gorkha Gaurav Award for his committed community service for the last 50 years, who, at 77 today, remains active in the community and shared his insights about Golaghat Gorkha Parisangh.

He also recalled his Akhil Bhartiya Gorkha League days as an Executive Member from Golaghat region in mid-sixties. He addressed the special session and spoke at length about achievements of the Parisangh in India with special reference to Assam and the contribution of Golaghat.

Sunita Limboo a teenager athlete from Padumpathar belonging to Golaghat district who won Bronze medal in recently concluded National Games in Gao was accorded Special Felicitation which was received by her father Amar Limboo.

In his keynote address, Nanda Kirati Dewan, General Secretary of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Assam, provided a detailed account of the organization’s efforts regarding the NRC case in the Supreme Court of India.

He discussed the white paper on the High-Level Committee Report on Assam Accord Clause VI, highlighting the exclusion of Gorkhas from the definition of “indigenous” communities.

This white paper was later submitted to the Government of Assam and the members of the High-Level Committee (HLC).

The Parisangh also engaged with the Chairman of the 125th Constitution Amendment Committee, making a representation that was reflected in the report tabled in the Indian Parliament.

Furthermore, the Parisangh reopened the “D Voters” file with the Government of India, following tripartite talks involving the All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) under the leadership of then-president Prem Tamang.

In pursuit of justice for Gorkha “D Voters,” the Parisangh actively followed up with multiple agencies, including the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Registrar General of India (RGI), and officials within the Government of Assam.

They held bilateral talks with the Principal Secretary of Home & Political Affairs, Assam followed by the Chief Secretary and the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of Assam to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and an application form for the correction of Gorkha D Voters’ status, following a decision by the Assam Government Cabinet.

As a result of these efforts, approximately 22,000 D Voters are being cleared after thorough physical and document verification, thereby avoiding trials at the Foreigners Tribunal (FT).

He also highlighted efforts made by the Parisangh to address the D Voter issue and secure relief for the Gorkhas who had been arbitrarily categorized as D Voters.

Dewan emphasized that Balidan Divas honors the Gorkhas’ contributions to India’s freedom and Major Durga Malla’s recognition is symbolic.

He mentioned that a 12-foot statue of Durga Malla, unveiled by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2004, stands at Parliament as a tribute to the Gorkhas’ sacrifices being erected by the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh in the Parliament premises.

The 6th Triennial Special Session of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), Golaghat district committee also saw the dissolution of the Dhan Prasad Limboo-led Dhan Prasad Limboo, Surya Chetry and Pankaj Upadhyay led District Committee elected at Uriamghat Conference in 2020.

It then elected a new committee for 2024-2027 session with Genindra Chetry immediate past Central Executive Member of All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union from Uriamghat as the District President and Ganesh Giri former Secretary of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC), Golaghat District Committee as General Secretary.

Rup Narayan Rai from Barpathar, Shiva Shrestha from Abhongpathar and Jibon Limboo from Duboroni unanimously elected Working President, Vice President and Asstt. General Secretary while Bhuntu Limboo from Sarupathar elected Secretary.

The Committee’s reshuffling and oath taking for new inductees will be held within six months after Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha’s golden jubilee to be held in Sarupathar in November.

Also Read: Assam: 3 teenagers drown in Golaghat

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