Darjeeling, July 1: The fight for a separate state by the Gorkhas has moved on from the armed struggle of the mid-80s to an exercise for acceptance by the people of the country.

With this change of strategy, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, an apolitical forum set up almost five years ago, is working in 23 states, uniting Gorkhas for the statehood demand.

“The powers in Delhi still have very little knowledge about Gorkhas and their demand. The common Indian man still believes that all Nepali-speaking people are from Nepal,” said C.K. Shrestha, the president of the Parisangh.

The organisation has recently opened an office in the capital. In fact, the Parisangh was able to install a statue of Durga Malla — a Gorkha, who was hanged in 1944 by the British for his role during the freedom movement — in Parliament two-three years ago.

“The installation is a sign that people are now accepting the role of the Gorkhas in the Independence Movement. A statue of a martyr within the precincts of Parliament is more than symbolic,” said Shrestha.

The association has started observing August 25 — the day Malla was hanged — as Balidan Diwas. In Delhi, a seminar will be held on The Marching Gorkhas of INA, Sahid Durga Malla — The Indomitable Sprit of Freedom struggle and The Role of Gorkhas on that day.

“A speech on Quest for Identity of Indian Gorkhas will also be delivered by Mahendra P. Lama (the newly appointed vice-chancellor of Sikkim University), a member of the Parisangh,” said Shrestha. Seminars will also be held simultaneously in all the 22 states.

This is not all, the association will organise an exhibition in Delhi titled The Gorkhas of India in December, the date for which has not yet been fixed.

“Even today, we have to call ourselves Indian Gorkhas while other communities don’t have to. During the exhibition, we will come up with authentic documents to prove that Gorkhas have always been living within the present boundaries of India and talk about the local histories,” said Shrestha.