Chronicle 2018
BL Demands for NRC and ILP in Sikkim
Indigenous groups from Sikkim have recently begun to demand that Sikkim enumerate a National Register of Citizens (NRC), implement an Inner Line System - commonly referred to as the Inner Line Permit (ILP), and restore the seat ratio in the Assembly. Reports have named the groups such as Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (SILTA), the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and the Nationalist Sikkim United Organisation (NSUO). These demands spring from a growing perception that Sikkim is affected by an influx of outsiders.
Mona Chettri, in 2017, had noted in a study on Chungthang in North Sikkim district, that the town had become ghettoised with locals getting squeezed between the Army cantonment, and the migrant workers of the hydro-power project. Another irritant for the locals is a Gurdwara set up by the Army that insists the name of Chungthang is actually Changi-thang, and was visited by Guru Nanak on his way to Tibet. It is clear that an uneasiness is growing in Sikkim. Such an outcome is understandable as in a democracy, numbers count, and allegations of 'vote-bank politics' are quite common. The demands themselves will be seen with apprehension and suspicion by the Nepali-speaking community. Regardless of these irritants, the demands raised are impossible to fulfil unless Sikkim's relationship with India is reviewed.
The seat restoration issue of late has gained a new momentum along with the Limboo-Tamang seat issue. Both communities became Scheduled Tribes (ST) in 2002, despite belonging to the larger Nepali-speaking community. At present, they are demanding that seats be reserved for them in the state assembly. Allowing this is more complicated than it seems.
Firstly, the Sikkim Assembly has only 32 seats. At the time of 'merger', the break-up of seat distribution in Sikkim was that the Bhutia and Lepcha communities together and the Nepali community would have 15 seats each, whereas one seat would be reserved for the Sangha (the Buddhist clergy) and the Scheduled Castes (SC) each. However, by an Act of Parliament in 1980, the Nepali seats were converted into 'general seats' and the Bhutia seats were reduced. The present break-up is 12 seats for the Bhutia and Lepcha communities, two seats for the SCs and one seat for the Sangha. However, since Nepali Sikkimese constitute the bulk of the state's population - around 70 per cent - converting general seats into reserved seats for the Limboo and Tamang communities is not tenable. On the other hand, the Bhutia and Lepcha communities are opposed to having their seat share further reduced.
What becomes apparent is that the stumbling block for the NRC and seat delimitation demand is the existence of Article 371F. However, repealing the Article will affect Sikkim's relationship with the Indian Union on two accounts. Firstly, the people of Sikkim deeply believe that the Article provides 'protections' to Sikkim and the Sikkimese people. However, abolishing the previous seat arrangement was done without affecting the provision despite affecting the polity of Sikkim. Secondly, if Article 371F were to be repealed, the Indo Sikkim Treaty of 1950 will legally have to come back into force. Though in practice, it is highly unlikely that the Treaty will be respected by the Indian Union, particularly when it was completely disregarded in 1975.
Slack Attitude of a Bureaucrat
Several organisations of the Bhutia-Lepcha communities want to know whether the state government has responded to the National Commission of Minorities (NCM) enquiry on issues related to the two communities.
In June of this year, the NCM had forwarded to the Chief Secretary a copy of the representation received from SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia, seeking a detailed report from the state government.
Last month, the commission again wrote to the Chief Secretary mentioning that no reply had been received from the Government of Sikkim. The commission sought a reply latest by September 28, failing which the commission could issue summon for hearing in the matter.
In the representation to the NCM, urgent steps were sought for safeguard of the sacred Guru Dongmar lake in North Sikkim, stop of the construction of 97 MW Tashiding HEP over sacred Rathong Chu in West Sikkim, stop of the construction of mega hydel power projects in Dzongu in North Sikkim, and 'to remove by legislation the threat posed to political rights of the minority BL community and Buddhist places of worship in Sikkim by vested interests and organisations'.
A coordination meeting attended by deputees of SIBLAC, BLPF, NASBO 371F, SILTA and other BL organisations was held at the BL House, coordinated by the SIBLAC Convenor.
The meeting condemned the 'irresponsible attitude' of the Chief Secretary against the indigenous communities of Sikkim and expressed hope that the office of the Chief Secretaty has responded to the reminder letter from the NCM commenting the important issues raised.
The organisations reiterated their commitment towards the cause of the BL community and vowed to work seriously. The meeting appealed to all BL to rise above party politics and come together in one platform in the interest and for the protection of future generations.
–> Documentation: BLPF Press Release - October 3, 2018
–> Documentation: Letters by the National Commission for Minorities
No Action against Hatemongers - SIBLAC Appeal to Bar Council
Subsequent to the refusal of the Gangtok Sadar Police Station to entertain the FIR against advocates Manoj Goel and N.B. Kathiwada submitted by 38 Sikkimese on July 27, SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia initiated an appeal to the Bar Council of India.
The petition suggests that "Appropriate actions against both Manoj Goel and Nar Bahadur Khatiwada be thoroughly enquired into through a proper measure necessary actions thereof be taken against them in the interest of justice at the earliest and till the pending judicial enquiry they must not be allowed to appear before any courts in India or practice as they have clearly stated that they do not repose any faith in our judicial system."
–> Documentation: SIBLAC Appeal to the Bar Council of India - September 12, 2018
SIBLAC files Complaint against Ethnic Arsonists
The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), in a press communiqué issued today, has informed of an FIR filed against Delhi-based advocate Manoj Goel, NB Khatiwada and others for what it sees as inflammatory comments made by them against the Bhutia community at a function held at a hotel in Gangtok on June 25.
Mr. Goel and Mr. Khatiwada, SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia contends, displayed "pre-meditated mindset" in their respective addresses "with common intention to create fear, panic and communal tension." Such comments coming from someone who "doesn't know the history of Sikkim" were unacceptable as were statements attributed to Mr. Khatiwada, a former MLA of Sikkim.
"The same are punishable under the IPC as well as SC&ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act", the release contends. The FIR filed at the Sadar Police Station also seeks that Mr. Goel, Mr. Khatiwada and others be processed under the relevant sections of the mentioned laws.
–> Documentation: SIBLAC Press Release - July 29, 2018
–> Documentation: Criminal Complaint against Manoj Goel and Nar Bahadur Khatiwada
–> Documentation: Extracts of the Speech by Manoj Goel - June 25, 2018
BL Organizations adopt Resolutions
Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF) conducted an urgent meeting at BL house attended by representatives of SIBLAC, NASBO, Denjong Lhadey, SILTA and SLA. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Phigu Bhutia (President BLPF), Mr. Tseten Tashi Bhutia (Convenor SIBLAC), Mr. Delay Kazi Barfungpa (SNPP), Mr. Chewang Bhutia (retired govt servant), Mr. T.W. Lepcha (NSUO) and Khenpo Topden from the monk body.
The congregation adopted three resolutions:
Resolution No. 1: The meeting demanded answer from the BL MLAs running away from their constitutional and community duties as representatives of Bhutia Lepcha community elected for the BL reserved seats.
Resolution No. 2: The meeting condemned WP (PIL) No. 10 of 2018 filed in the Sikkim High Court by Sikkim Gorkha Jagran Manch (SGJM) being anti-Sikkimese and violating the sanctity of Article 371F. The litigation is regarded as a direct attack on the distinct identity of three ethnic communities of Sikkim, i.e Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin.
The representatives also condemned the speech addressed at a local hotel after the hearing at the High Court of Sikkim under the banner of Sikkim Gorkha Jagran Manch by Adv. Manoj Goel. His speech was inflammatory and openly instigated communal venom against the Bhutia community.
Resolution No. 3: The meeting agreed to hold a state level convention to address the current issues targeted at the minority Bhutia Lepcha community. Time and date of the convention will be communicated later.
National Conference on Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities
Various Bhutia Lepcha organizations including Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee, Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force, Denjong Lhade, Denjong Monastic Chogchen, NASBO 371 F, SILTA, NSUO, attended the National Conference on Buddhist Communities: Cultural Preservation and Identity - Challenges and Way forward in th 21st Century, at Gurgoan from June 29 to 30, 2018. Sikkim delegation amongst others also included venerable Rinpoches, Khenpos and monks along with Sikkimese Sherpa scholars from various monasteries.
The conference deliberated on various problems and threats being faced by the Himalayan Buddhist communities.
The conference also decided to constitute an 'Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition' as the apex body to highlight on these aspects and passed various resolutions. The National Conference unanimously resolved to condemn the ongoing encroachment of sacred Buddhist site Guru Dongmar Lake in North Sikkim and sought its protection. The conference was also addressed by various Sikkimese luminaries including Tseten Tashi Bhutia.
This most significant conference, organized by the Tawang Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India also had the presence of Union Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju and His Eminence Drikung Kyabgoen Chetsang Rinpoche. The conference witnessed august presence of eminent Rinpoches and monastic as well as lay scholars from Ladakh to Arunachal. The first day of the Conference was also attended by Sangha MLA Sonam Lama.
Convenor addressing the National Conference on Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities
–> Documentation: Convenor's Speech at Gurugram - June 2018
–> Documentation: Resolutions of IHCNBT at Gurugram - June 2018
Leh Conference on Himalayan Geo-Politics
Convenor and General Secretary of SIBLAC attended the conference on 'Geo-Politics of the Himalayan Region' organized by the India Foundation from 16 to 18 May 2018 in Leh. The event represented, at the same time, a celebration of the birth centenary of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. 12-year-old Nashtan Kushok Bakula, ordained as the 20th Kushok Bakula, also participated in the celebrations.
With sessions on subjects such as the geostrategic importance of the Himalayan region, perspectives in Tibet, Uyghur nationalism in Xinjiang or developments in Gilgit-Baltistan and Aksai Chin, the conference provided the participants with exceptional opportunities to meet and compare notes with fellow Buddhists from all over the Himalayan Belt.
Besides, the presence of the delegates from Sikkim stood for a discreet but clear reminder that, apart from discussing minority problems in neighbouring countries, Mother India has, herself, homework left in regard to the indigenous communities.
Meeting H.E. Gonchig Ganbold, Ambassador of Mongolia to India
Tribute to Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal
Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal was remembered on his 95th birth anniversary during a function organised at the Palden Thondup Namgyal Park, Deorali, by the Nationalist Sikkim United Organization (NSUO) and attended by representatives of SIBLAC, Sikkim Subject Committee, Yuwa Yatra team, Sikkim Padyatra team led and others.
In his speech, Tseten Tashi Bhutia said: "He was one of the signatories on the 8th May agreement and was instrumental in guaranteeing Article 371F for the protection of the Sikkimese people. The SDF government can go on saying past is past with West Bengal, but he cannot say the same with Sikkimese people. We are willing to go to Hague and Geneva for the protection of the Sikkimese people," said the SIBLAC Convenor.
Bhaichung Bhutia expressed that the royal family must also come forth in commemorating the former Chogyal's birthday. "We are all proud Indians but we should also preserve our history, and remember how the Chogyal was responsible in granting many privileges to our people", he stated.
NSUO member Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha informed that more such celebrations will be carried out in the future. "We are planning to organize a commemoration day for the 8th May agreement as Samjhauta Diwas at M.G. Marg on May 8. We are happy being Indians and part of a democracy but every place has its own history, and preserving our history should not be labelled as anti-national", he said.