An Overview of Indian Nepalis's Movements for Autonomy (1907–2017)

Thepaper is an attempt to understand the various facets of demands for recognition and autonomy of Indian Nepalis. The paper will discuss the various phases of statehood movements in Darjeeling hills. First, the pre-Independence phase and demands for regional autonomy. The second phase deals with the demand for a separate state called Gorkhaland under the leadership of Subash Ghising in 1980s. Third phase discusses the renewed demand for Gorkhaland under the leadership of Bimal Gurung in 2007. And the last phase deals with the upsurge that took place in summer of 2017 when the declaration by the state cabinet to make dominant Bengali language as a compulsory subject in school triggered the prolonged demand for statehood and recognition.