“GJM tactics – Gandhivadi or Ghodsevadi?” Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists

DARJEELING: "Barring other political parties from holding public meetings is Gandhivadi or Ghodsevadi? We have never heard of such Gandhian practice ever. Did Gandhi bar other pro-freedom parties in India? Should there be such instances of dictatorship in a Gandhian Democratic Gorkhaland Movement? We condemn the move by Gorkha Janmutki Morcha to bar all political parties from holding public meetings anywhere in the Hills," speaking to the press, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist, General Secretary said."This is dictatorial. We strongly condemn the statement made by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Vice President Pradip Pradhan who during a public meeting organised yesterday barring all political parties from holding Public Meetings anywhere in Darjeeling Hills. He specifically said we will not allow any other political parties to hold public meetings from now on. This is absurd. We condemn it. Pradip further said now only Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will be allowed to move forward and all these thorns must be removed from their roots before Gorkhaland is achieved. What kind of statement is that? These kinds of statements are undemocratic and anti-Gandhism and anti-people. These people represent Ghodse and not Gandhi. It might be remembered that during the rule of Gorkha National Liberation Front when Gorkha Janmukti Morcha was not allowed to hold public meeting at Naxalbari by GNLF and CPIM combine, all political parties in Darjeeling Hills had come out in support for them. Then Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had declared CPIM as undemocratic. Now the same question is being asked – Is Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s move to bar all parties from hold public meetings undemocratic?" [Inset: R. B. Rai General Secretary, CPRM. Photo by Himalaya Darpan]

Speaking to the press, Darjeeling District Congress Committee (Hills) joint secretary, Chhabilal Rai said, "India is a democratic country. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, thought and belief. Every political party has the right to operate and this is intrinsic to democratic norms in this country. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s decision to disallow other political parties to operate is harmful to democracy in the hills. This is an injustice to the people of the Hills and Dooars Terai. We condemn it strongly."