Protests for a separate Gorkhaland state have caused widespread violence in Darjeeling over the past week.
While a section of people in the Northern region of West Bengal have been demanding a separate state for decades now, the ongoing protests were triggered by West Bengal government’s decision to make Bengali compulsory across schools in the state.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has gone all out against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s move and has called for an indefinite strike and suspension of all government facilities in the hills.
The disruption of day-to-day activity and violence in the region has pushed people to appeal on social media for a fight “without losing humanity”.
Recently, a viral video showed GJM workers preventing a nurse from going to work. While the nurse argued that she was on duty in the ICU and had to rush, the protesters asked her to go back, citing the ongoing ‘bandh’ as the reason. The nurse is forced to park her vehicle and return.
GJM workers received flak on social media, where people condemned their actions.
Some among those who watched the video called for everyone to support Gorkhaland, but "without losing humanity”.
There is nothing wrong in agitating or protesting to protect your demand in a democratic country. But it should be peaceful, logical & by not making others life hell. I hope this issue will be sorted out soon and Darjeeling will get back to her normal life...Kinkar Kumar Bakshi on Facebook
People also expressed how in the process of fighting for what they believed, humanity should not be disregarded.
It is good to raise voices and demand for what we need. But we shouldn’t forget humanity in the process.Suseel Ezamh on Facebook
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