Mass protests in Darjeeling over Idol comments

Darjeeling: The celebrations for local boy Prashant Tamang being crowned as the ‘Indian Idol’ in the Darjeeling hills turned into protest rallies following an alleged derogatory comment by a radio jockey on the Gorkha community. The comment by a Delhi-based FM radio channel, a day after the Kolkata police constable was crowned the Indian Idol, led to mass protests in the hills since Wednesday.

All Gorkha Students’ Union (AGSU) president Roshan Giri said members of the Prashant Fan Club, supported by leaders of all political parties, educational institutions and NGOs have called for a 24-hour bandh at Kalimpong and Sukna in Darjeeling sub-division on Thursday. “The comment has hurt the sentiment of the Gorkhas,” he said.

Darjeeling district magistrate Rajesh Pandey said over phone on Thursday that the protesters had submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Das Munshi and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee through him on Wednesday.

Stating that the bandh was total and peaceful in both the places, Panday said that a procession was taken out in Kurseong on Thursday and street corner meetings were organised in Darjeeling town.

The protesters demanded that the FM broadcaster should be arrested and brought to Darjeeling hills for a trial within three days, failing which the Gorkhas would take appropriate measures.

The district magistrate said that elaborate security measures had been taken to ensure law and order in the hills.


THE COMMENT
Gorkha National Liberation Front leader Bimal Gurung alleged that the RJ had referred to Tamang’s success as “Chowkidaar se Indian Idol”. Gurung said the remark was derogatory and insulted the martial race of the Gorkhas.

Tamang, 24, an orchestra player in the Kolkata police band was on Sunday voted the Indian Idol on a television talent hunt contest.

Source: www.mumbaimirror.com