Formation and History
GJM was founded on October 7, 2007, by Bimal Gurung, a former councillor of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) under the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF). The split from GNLF stemmed from disagreements with GNLF leader Subhash Ghisingh over the proposed imposition of Sixth Schedule status on the Darjeeling hills, which Gurung and supporters viewed as inadequate and a betrayal of the Gorkhaland demand outlined in the 1988 tripartite Memorandum of Settlement. Gurung opposed the bill despite its Cabinet approval, organizing protests including hunger strikes, indefinite bandhs (shutdowns), and economic blockades. These actions led to Ghisingh’s resignation as DGHC chairman on March 10, 2008, effectively ending GNLF’s dominance and shifting power to GJM.
The party revived the non-violent Gorkhaland movement, using tactics like non-payment of utility bills and mass rallies. In September 2008, tripartite talks involving GJM, the Union government, and West Bengal led to a 51-page memorandum demanding statehood. A major milestone came in 2011 with the tripartite Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement, signed on July 18, 2011, between GJM, the Government of India, and the West Bengal government. The GTA replaced the DGHC as a semi-autonomous body to govern the hills, temporarily easing tensions.
However, dissatisfaction persisted, fueled by the 2014 creation of Telangana state, prompting renewed agitations from 2013. Tensions with the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led West Bengal government escalated, culminating in a violent 104-day bandh in June 2017, which resulted in 10 deaths from alleged police firing, economic losses exceeding ₹1,000 crore, and over 100 injuries. The agitation fractured GJM into factions, with Gurung going into hiding amid terrorism charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). In 2020, Gurung resurfaced, shifting alliances from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to support TMC in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.
The Mother Trust
Sri Aurobindo Sikshadhara Trust, a registered charitable trust, having its registered office at Flat No.402, Supertech Residency, Khalisani Bosepara, P.O. & P.S. Chandannagar, Distt : Hooghly, PIN 712136, West Bengal, formed with the objectives of propagation of the system of integral education as envisaged by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
Executive Body of Rupantor Unit
- Sona Kundu - President
- Anindya Mukherjee – Secretary
- Mohua Mukherjee – Treasurer
- Subrata Sen - The Chairman of Sri Aurobindo Sikshadhara Trust, remains a member of the unit managing committee in ex-officio capacity.
Other Autonomous Units
Mirraloke
www.mirraloke.in
Mirraloke is to explore the possibility of the student educating oneself rather than being fed dictated information, attempting to provide an environment where he or she can work with interest and joy under the guidance of learning guides or mentors to bring out the best in them and make it active.
Mirrangan
Mirrangan, a English medium pre-school, under the guidance of Sri Aurobindo Sikshadhara Trust ls situated at Fatakgora, Chandannagar Hooghly. The objective of the school is to provide the opportunities for the harmonious growth of the children and inspire them to manifest the inner qualities latent in them.