After Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s appeal to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Yuva Morcha to withdraw the ongoing hunger strike for a separate Gorkhaland State, the strikers on Monday withdrew the indefinite fast.
In his appeal, Rajnath also asked the Mamata Government to take steps to defuse the Gorkhaland crisis by opening dialogue with all stakeholders — a step that was seen as “positive” by the Morcha leadership.
Even as the strikers withdrew fast “paying respect to the Home Minister’s appeal”, Rajnath promptly reciprocated saying he “wholeheartedly appreciate the decision of GJM chief Bimal Gurung and the GMCC to call off the strike. By withdrawing their hunger strike on the eve of Independence Day they have shown their nationalist approach, political maturity and wisdom.”