Chronicle 2016
Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Convention
A meeting of the Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association was held at a Gangtok hotel which was presided over by the National President for Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad, Somjibhai Damor, as the Chief Guest. The meeting was attended by members of various NGOs.
A Sikkim Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad Committee was also formed under the guidance of Somjibhai Damor. The newly formed Sikkim State Committee consists of President Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Vice President Mayalmit Lepcha, General Secretaries Chewang Norbu Lepcha and Yehang Subba, Joint Secretaries Tashi Lhamu Lepcha and Sancharaj Limbu, Treasurer Phurba Dorjee Tamang, and Assistant Treasurer Lhakit Lepcha.
The association submitted a memorandum demanding, inter alia, scrapping of the Burman commission report, proportionate increase of BL seats in the SLA in case the state government's proposal of 40 seats is accepted, increase in state job quota reservation for the Lepchas from 5 precent to 10 percent, thorough inspection of all the dams commissioned in Sikkim, and the establishment of the term 'Indigenous' instead of 'Primitive' (pejorative term according to the constitution of India) coined by the SDF lead Government of Sikkim.
Bhutia Lepcha Convention
Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF), an apolitical organization, called a convention at BL House to discuss and press against the state government's proposal to reduce the reserved Bhutia Lepcha (BL) seats from existing 37.5% to 30% in an expanded 40 member Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
The convention was also attended by leaders of political parties like D.B.Chauhan, BJP Sikkim Chapter President, Bharat Basnett, State Congress President, and former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, SIBLAC Convenors Chewang Rinzing Lepcha and Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Sangha MLA Sonam Lama and others.
Phigu Tshering Bhutia, President BLPF in his address condemned the 40 seat formula calling it to be a clear violation of conditions laid down during the Sikkim-India merger which included that the state will have 32 seats with 16 reserved for the Lepcha-Bhutia and Sangha and the rest 16 for Nepali and SC seats.
SIBLAC Convenor Chewang Rinzing Lepcha expressed concern over the safeguard of future BL generations if the SLA seats for the community are reduced. BLPF Advisor Kesang Dorjee said "we are even ready to take legal course if the BL seats are reduced from the existing number."
The convention passed a resolution to boycott SDF Legal Advisor K. T. Gyaltsen and also condemned the anti-BL activities of BL MLAs. The convention later converted into a rally which started from the BL House with huge participation of people marching through the town. The rally culminated at Hospital Dara where an effort to burn down the effigy of Sikkim Chief Minister was reportedly thwarted by the police.
Indigenous NGOs soft Targets for State Government
The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and the Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF) have expressed their disappointment on being branded as communal organisations by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. "We have become soft targets for the state government while raising relevant issues related to Sikkim", members of the two organisations said.
"We strongly condemn the statement of the Chief Minister made on October 2 at Chintan Bhawan, where he has associated SIBLAC with SKM. It's very unfortunate that an organisation which voices for the welfare of Bhutia-Lepcha and other communities is becoming a soft target", said SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia in a news conference at Press Club of Sikkim.
Tseten Tashi said that SIBLAC had supported SKM in the last election as the P.S. Golay-led party has promised to protect the minority communities in the party manifesto. "We request the Chief Minister to do inclusive politics instead of exclusive politics by targeting a section of the people. We have no hidden agendas and we are also ready to ban our organisations of someone proves that we are promoting hatred in the state. We, the minorities, have started feeling insecure", said the SIBLAC Convenor.
He demanded the state government to make public the memorandum submitted to the Union government regarding the Limboo-Tamang seat reservation demand. "The memorandum submitted ba the state government delegation in Delhi has not been made public. The people have a right to know about it. The opinions of the stakeholders are never taken by the government", said Tseten Tashi.
BLPF President Phigu Tshering Bhutia reiterated that there must be a proportionate increase in BL seats if the Sikkim Legislative Assembly is expanded from 32 seats to 40 seats. Both the organisations advocated for the restoration of Nepali seats in the SLA.
SIBLAC Convenor attends Symposium
Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) has demanded the removal of Governor Shriniwas Patil from his post claiming that corruption allegations are pending against him in his home State of Maharashtra.
The demand was made by SPCC president Bharat Basnett during the symposium "Save the Sanctity of Constitution" at a Gangtok hotel. Basnett, addressing the gathering, said the symposium was mainly organised to discuss on the alleged misuse of his post by the Sikkim Governor. "We demand the Governor to resign from his post. We have no hopes for the state government of taking any step in this matter but we demand the Centre government to remove the Governor", said Basnett. He informed that all political parties and NGOs had been invited for the SPCC symposium.
SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia, in his address, said that Sikkim witnessed violation of Article 371F in many forms. The symposium was attended by Sikkim TMC, SIBLAC, Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force and a few other associations.
BL Organisations call on Governor
A delegation comprising of various social organizations of Sikkim led by the Convenors of SIBLAC, Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Chewang Rinzing Lepcha, called on the Governor of Sikkim at Raj Bhawan, today.
In a joint press statement, they inform that the delegation apprised the plight of monks who have been sitting on relay hunger strike since July 10, 2016 at BL House, Gangtok, urging the government to allow His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje to visit Sikkim at the earliest.
Today it is one month since the Denjong Lhadey comprising of more than 45 monasteries of Sikkim sitting on the relay hunger strike. So far, no representatives of the government has visited the dharna site at BL House "which speaks volumes as to how indifferent is the government to the democratic system and democratic exercises", state the organizations.
The governor gave a patient hearing to the visiting delegation and expressed to initiate necessary measures on the matter, they add.
The delegation included representatives of Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Association, Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force, and Save Kabi Longtsok Committee. Trinamool Congress was also a part of the deputation.
Rong Kit for Digital Lepcha
In a boost for the endangered Lepcha language, on the eve of UN International Day of the World's Indigenous People, SIBLAC launched Lepcha fonts compatible with the major computer operating systems. The software covering over 7000 characters of traditional Lepcha language has been developed by Stefan Daehler, a Swiss associate of SIBLAC.
The 'Rong Kit - Digital Lepcha' complies with the Unicode standard for use in Windows, Mac and Linux operation software. The text can be shared across different platforms. The software, instructions and background informations are available for download at the website of SIBLAC.
SIBLAC convenors Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Chewang Rinzing Lepcha launched the software package at BL House. Also present was SPTMC General Secretary Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha. "Using Lepcha fonts will go a long way in preserving the language and literature of the Lepcha community", said Bhutia.
–> Documentation: SIBLAC Press Release - August 8, 2016
Relay Hunger Strike on Karmapa Demand
A day after holding a Gangtok rally demanding the Union government to allow the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje to visit Sikkim, monks have started a relay hunger strike at BL House, Tibet Road, demanding a Sikkim visit of their religious leader.
Seventeen monks along with Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia are on the relay fast from a temporary shelter outside the BL House. The campaign will continue till Drikpa Tsheshi which falls on August 6, it was informed.
The monks are demanding that the Karmapa is permitted to visit Rumtek, Ralong or Phodong monastery. "The Karmapa is allowed to visit Mirik close to Sikkim but cannot come to his rightful throne here in Sikkim. We want the Union government to consider alowing him to visit one of three Kagyud monasteries in Sikkim on the holy occasion of Drukpa Tsheshi", said the SIBLAC Convenor.
"We also thank the Chief Minister for leading a delegation to New Delhi, recently, and submitting the demand on Karmapa to the Union government. We seek support of all political parties and organisations so that the Karmapa demand is fulfilled", said Tseten Tashi.
SIBLAC opposing Reduction of Seat Quota
"The insensitive and irresponsible remarks and statements of legislators in the ongoing budget session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly have unleashed a sense of complete insecurity amongst the Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) community." That's what SIBLAC Convenors Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Chewang Rinzing Lepcha notice in regard to the threat of the Government of Sikkim to reduce the quota of assembly seats reserved for Lepcha and Bhutia communities.
In their Press Statement, the Convenors express their disappointment realizing that "the legislators representing BL seats should remain mute spectators when others are abusing and threatening the BL community", terming the behaviour of the BL members of the SLA "a shame to democracy."
–> Documentation: SIBLAC Press Statement - March 22, 2016
Convenor's Appeal
In a passionate statement, SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia appeals his fellow Bhutia-Lepcha for a firm defence of what little is left of the privileges the indigenous people of Sikkim got in exchange for a kingdom, in 1973. He calls upon commoners to act in lieu of the BL representatives at the Sikkim Legislative Assembly obviously not inclined to raise their voices against another dilution of Bhutia-Lepcha rights.
The appeal comes in the wake of renewed proposals to either increase the number of assembly seats to the disadvantage of the indigenous communities or to pass a number of BL reserved seats to Limbu-Tamang representatives. Reservation of seats for the Limbu and Tamang is a promise repeatedly given during election campaigns. The implementation, however, has been delayed by the present government for more than ten years.
–> Documentation: SIBLAC Appeal - February 12, 2016
Obituary Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche
SIBLAC offers its deep condolences and declares one week mourning with prayer for swift reincarnation of Kyabje Chatral Sangye Rinpoche for the benefit of all sentient beings. Kyabje Rinpoche (1913 - 2015) has passed into Parinirvana in Yanglesho in Nepal on December 30, 2015, at the age of 102 and remained in Thudam (secret meditation) until January 5, 2016.
Rinpoche had two daughters, Tara Devi and Saraswati (recognised as a Tulku of Sera Khandro), with his wife Sangyum Kamala.
He was especially well known for his advocacy of vegetarianism and his yearly practice of rescuing the lives of thousands of animals in India. In addition to his emphasis on the union of view and conduct, Rinpoche also stressed the practice of retreat. He established numerous retreat centers throughout the Himalayas, including in Pharping, Yolmo and Darjeeling.
He was a renowned Dzogchen master, an ascetic yogin famous for his great realization and strict discipline.
Chatral Rinpoche shunned institutional and political involvement his whole life, choosing instead to live the life of a wandering yogin. A lay yogin, he was also greatly concerned with maintaining strict discipline in the context of the Dzogchen view.
Rinpoche has many followers in Sikkim and indeed it is a great loss for all of us.
Sarwa Mangalam.