Darj magistrate’s Nepali language comment stirs row
Times of India | 20 August 2025
Darjeeling: A statement attributed to a Darjeeling judicial magistrate on Nepali language prompted all Hills parties on Tuesday to condemn it and even demand the magistrate's transfer.
Alakananda Sarkar, posted at Mungpoo Court as judicial magistrate first class and civil judge (junior division), stated in open court on Monday that "Nepali is a language of Nepal, not of India", according to the local Bar.
Lawyers under Darjeeling, Mungpoo and Kurseong Bar associations abstained from attending proceedings at Darjeeling District Court in protest.
Taranga Pandit, president of Darjeeling Bar Association, said the magistrate's comments displayed ignorance of Nepali's constitutional status. "Nepali is recognised in the Eighth Schedule and is an official language of the three Hills subdivisions under Official Language Act, 1961. Her remarks are disastrous not only for communal harmony but also deeply insulting to Nepali-speaking communities across India," said Pandit.
Members of Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front, led by Ajoy Edwards, put up posters across Darjeeling condemning the incident.
GTA chief Anit Thapa termed it "unconstitutional and deeply hurtful to community sentiments". Thapa said he met state labour minister Moloy Ghatak to apprise him of the incident. "The minister has written to the Chief Justice and registrar general of Calcutta HC, requesting immediate intervention," said Thapa.
Ghatak, in his letter, said Nepali is recognised under the Eighth Schedule and is the official language of courts in Darjeeling Hills, urging swift resolution "to prevent the situation from deteriorating".
Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista called the remark "ignorant and dangerous".