Darjeeling, Sept. 7: The call for a “construction strike” tomorrow in Darjeeling notwithstanding, the All Gorkha Students’ Union increasingly finds itself in the grip of an identity crisis.

The union has reiterated its claim of being an apolitical body, but with the outfit increasingly raising political demands, including revival of the “Gorkhaland” concept, the body has come under considerable flak from the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).

At a public rally in Chowk Bazar in Darjeeling, the GNLF, criticised Agsu along with other Opposition parties in the Hills. Bhanu Lama, GNLF leader from Peshok-Lopchu constituency, also questioned its “sources of funding”.

The opposition parties in the hills have also long ceased to consider Agsu as a mere students’ body. During the recent formation of the six party united forum, Agsu was also invited to join the forum which it eventually declined.

With this changing dynamic vis-à-vis the politics in the hills, the union is finding that its “apolitical” status has few takers.

In the recent past, Agsu apart from demanding Gorkhaland, has also demanded that inner-line permits be introduced in the hills, in line with the practice in northeastern states, in order to prevent the influx of migrant workers from Bangladesh and Nepal.

In fact the construction strike, called by the Darjeeling Hill Construction Workers Union — an Agsu affiliate — at “construction sites and hardware shops” is part of the effort to secure inner-line permit for the hills.

Agsu will stage a dharna at Chowkbazar between 11 and 3 pm tomorrow.

Apart from this issue, the union has consistently demanded that the government set up a tea-auction centre in Kurseong and has also raised the issue of hospitals and inadequate medical facilities in the hills. It also demanded better facilities for the tea garden and cinchona plantation workers.

Agsu president Roshan Giri, however, refuted that the outfit was facing an identity crisis and said it was not becoming “political”. “There is nothing wrong in raising political issues that concern all, we have still maintained our apolitical status by not contesting any election”, he said.

Giri further explained that they were raising the demand of Gorkhaland due to the lack of initiative from the concerned authorities with regard to issues raised by them.

“The government is unmoved by our demands and in these circumstances Gorkhaland would help in the overall development of the region and fulfillment of our demands”, he said.

Agsu’s dabbling in political issues has, however, irked the ruling part in the hills.