Gorkhas community of Himachal demands assembly ticket in coming elections

Dharamshala, July 13, 2017: The Gorkhs of Himachal have asked both the major political parties Congress and BJP to give ticket to this community at least from one assembly constituency of the state in the coming elections, which are slated for this year end. The Gorkhas who are considered as marshal community, was brought from Nepal by the British rulers during nineteenth century to India to serve in Royal army. Their families were made settled in the different hilly areas of India, including Himachal Pradesh. These Nepali Gorkhas later become pride of Indian Army too.
The president of Gorkha Association of HP and Punjab Mr.R.S.Rana said, “Gorkhas are around 60 thousand in number in Himachal and settled mainly in Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Sirmour and Solan districts, which is a big number to send one of their representatives in the 68-members Himachal Assembly. But since 1966, when HP came into existence, none of this community was given a chance either by Congress or BJP, though the community supported the candidates of both the parties in one or the other election.”

Rana said that Gorkhas brought lots of laurel to the state as among its residents were martyrs of independence Dal Bahadur and Durga Mul. The composer of National anthem Master Mitter Sen, Param Vir Chakra winner Col Dhan Singh Thapa, Mahavir Chakra winner Brig Sher Jung Thapa, Shourya Chakra winner Maj Abhijit Thapa and many more. This community deserves a seat in the state assembly too.
Rana said, “Whole of the Gorkha community will support party in state elections this time, which gives a ticket to its leader.” He said that the community was not even given a place in the newly created Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, whereas maximum of Gorkhas reside in the area, R.S.Rana further said that one person from exiled Tibetans were nominated among 5 MC members but Gorkhas were ignored.