Nagaland: Gorkha Students’ Union Kohima calls for inclusive policy

The Gorkha Students’ Union, Kohima (GSUK) celebrated its Platinum Jubilee on Saturday at the GPPK Multi Utility Hall in Chandmari, commemorating 75 years under the theme “Bridging generations – aspiring futures.”
Special guest, Power and Parliamentary Affairs Minister K.G. Kenye assured the Gorkha community that the Nagaland government is committed to finding a permanent and just policy framework to address their long-standing concerns, including the question of status and opportunities, while maintaining the rights of indigenous Nagas.
The Minister acknowledged the deep historical association of the Gorkha community with Kohima and Nagaland, and said that recent debates on indigeneity had created anxiety but would be addressed in a mature and balanced manner.
Kenye said indigeneity, as understood globally, is linked to ancestral roots in a particular territory and cannot be altered by policy alone. However, he stressed that communities like the Gorkhas, who have lived alongside Nagas for generations and contributed significantly to the state, deserve institutional safeguards and recognition.
He indicated that placing such communities under appropriate categories, including Other Backward Classes (OBC), had already been explored by the government, though the process was temporarily slowed due to broader policy reviews. He expressed confidence that these issues would be resolved in a permanent and structured manner.
The Minister also spoke at length on the shared values between Nagas and Gorkhas, highlighting qualities such as honesty, discipline, loyalty and courage, which he said were increasingly rare in modern society. He urged students to uphold these virtues, focus on education, live simply and prepare themselves to become responsible leaders.
Guest of honour , MLA Kohima Town, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, strongly pitched for national-level recognition of Gorkhas as OBCs to ensure access to central opportunities without disturbing Nagaland’s reservation framework. He said that while the state’s reservation system protects Scheduled Tribes, recognition under OBC at the national level would enable Gorkha youths to compete in central services and examinations.
Rhutso noted that he had raised Gorkha-related issues in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly during the recent session, underlining his role as a representative of all communities in his constituency. He explained that while the term “indigenous” may be restricted to Nagas by blood, the government could still recognize Gorkhas as permanent residents, a status that should come with concrete support mechanisms. He appealed to the cabinet to recommend the inclusion of the Gorkha community under the OBC category at the All India level, stating that this would not affect tribal reservations in Nagaland.
Nagaland Gorkha Association president Nobin Pradhan, in his address, described the 75-year journey of GSUK as a landmark achievement rooted in the resilience of the Gorkha community in Kohima. Tracing the union’s origins to 1950, just after the Battle of Kohima, he said the organization had never gone defunct in seven and a half decades, reflecting the strength and unity of the community.
Pradhan acknowledged the support and acceptance of the Naga people, particularly the Angami community, stating that the Gorkhas had never faced hostility despite difficult and turbulent times in the state. On the issue of indigeneity, he said the Gorkha community accepted the government’s decision to reserve the term exclusively for Nagas, but expressed hope that justice would be ensured for Gorkhas who had settled in Nagaland prior to statehood.
He also informed that recent interactions with the Naga Students’ Federation and the Inner Line Permit regulation authorities had been positive and reassuring. Emphasising that Kohima is home for the Gorkhas, Pradhan said the community was not seeking special privileges but only continued love, acceptance and fair treatment.
The Platinum Jubilee celebration brought together community leaders, students and government representatives, reaffirming shared history, mutual respect and hopes for an inclusive future where the aspirations of Gorkhas and workers are addressed within a just and stable policy framework.
The jubilee programme was chaired by Jenny Lamechane Chhetri, vice-president, and commenced with the Deep Prajwalan (lighting of lamps), followed by the rendition of the GSUK theme song by the GSUK jubilee choir. Meghraj Lama, president of GSUK, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the organisation’s journey, achievements, and contributions over the past 75 years.
A key highlight of the celebration was the release of the Platinum Jubilee Souvenir by Minister Kenye and MLA Dr Rhutso.
Jubilee greetings were extended by Santu Thapa, president of GPPK; All Nagaland Gorkha Students Union president P John Thakuri; and Kohima Village Students Union president Khriesaneikuo Kire.
The programme was further enriched by cultural dance performances and special musical numbers.
The jubilee celebration concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Karan Chetri, games & sports secretary of GSUK, after which a Jubilee feast was hosted for all attendees, marking a memorable close to the historic celebration.