Chronicle 2022
Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee Convention held at Gangtok
SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia on Sunday warned Chief Minister P.S. Golay to protect the constitutional rights of the minority Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) communities as promised in 2019 or face electoral consequences in 2024 assembly elections.
Addressing a SIBLAC-organised convention at BL House, Tseten Tashi recalled that it was at the BL House where many meetings had taken place to support the SKM in the 2019 Assembly elections after making the then opposition party aware about their concerns. "We held so many meetings here for your electoral victory but it saddens us that you are damaging our constitutional rights", he said.
The convention on "Constitutional Rights of Bhutia-Lepcha Communities - threats, challenges and way forward" had participation of former MLAs and representatives of various Bhutia-Lepcha organisations.
At the outset, the SIBLAC Convenor said the statements and criticism expressed during the convention should be taken on a positive note by the State government. He listed some instances where the constitutional rights of the Bhutia-Lepcha in Sikkim have been violated. This, he shared, happened despite making the present ruling front aware about threats faced by the BL while SKM was in the opposition.
“The BL communities are not against you or your government. We are merely asking for our rights and their protection. Please understand our concerns or call us for a table talk. If we are wrong, we will publicly apologize", said Tseten.
Tseten was critical about the elected representatives from the BL communities, who despite being invited, did not show up at the convention and remained silent on BL issues.
"I warn the BL MLAs not to play with our rights and future of coming generations. We had extended an invitation to them but it is sad to see they are not here today. However, we will keep on talking for our rights like we did in the past. Those who clapped that time are today MLAs and ministers. It seems that they have forgotten what we told them at this hall. It is okay that they are not working but they should not further damage our rights," said the SIBLAC Convenor.
Tseten also condemned the 8% reservation given to the BL communities in the recently concluded panchayat election. He expressed that this could set a precedent in future and the same could be replicated in the State Legislative Assembly, shrinking the BL Assembly seats to mere 2.56%. The convention resolved to condemn the 8% reservation for BL communities in panchayat elections and demanded the state government to withdraw it.
"I had raised this issue also with our BL MLAs but no response came, he said. He maintained that Centre is not working to dilute the special Article 371F privileges. It is our people who have been violating our special constitutional rights", he added.
The SIBLAC Convenor maintained that the present government is allowing registration of lands belonging to Sikkimese to non-Sikkimese and RC holders in violation of the old laws of Sikkim. He pointed out that a state government-constituted committee had submitted its report in November 2021 recommending against such registrations happening at present based on a 2018 notification, which the panel noted, was technically an executive order only.
The committee's report was tabled in a cabinet meeting in March 2022 for discussions and decision so that RC holders and non-Sikkimese cannot purchase Sikkimese lands, but the cabinet deferred discussions. Tseten demanded the state government to immediately implement the committee report and protect the lands of Sikkimese. "The lands registered to non-Sikkimese must be cancelled and such backdoor registrations cannot be accepted, otherwise, 2024 is coming", he warned.
Admonishing BL MLAs
Tseten Tashi Bhutia (SIBLAC) has served notice to all BL MLAs and given 21 days time to address the issue of seat reservation, after which he declares that the matter will be taken to the public, community and all stakeholders to decide the next course of action.
Their grievance stems from unhappiness over the reservation system of the upcoming panchayat polls, which he claims has brought 'apprehension and insecurity' in the minority BL community.
According to a State amendment, the reservation of seats in the panchayat elections is based as per the proportion of the population. Mr. Bhutia states that the amendment has 'far reaching negative implications' and in future may impact similar reservation pattern in Assembly polls too, which would then be around 8% instead of the 37.5 % guaranteed now.
"The precedent set by this panchayat elections has the potential and possibilities to completely wipe out the political, social and economical rights of the BL community," states the letter to the BL MLAs.
Dalai Lama invitation to Sikkim
A government delegation from Sikkim headed by Ecclesiastical Affairs Minister Sonam Lama and attended by SIBLAC General Secretary Chewang Pintso, among others, was granted an audience with the Dalai Lama at McLeod Gunj. On behalf of the Sikkimese devotees, the deputation invited His Holiness to visit Sikkim in autumn of this year.
Thanking for the proposal from Sikkim, the Dalai Lama expressed his intention to accept the invitation and enquired about the well-being of the people in the Himalayan border state.
Obituary Dodrupchen Rinpoche
Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) mourns and condoles the passing away of the Fourth Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Tubten Trinlé Pal Zangpo reverently known as Jikmé Trinlé Palbar (1927-2022).
As the fourth incarnation of Dodrupchen Jikmé Trinlé Özer, the heart-son of Jikmé Lingpa who revealed the Longchen Nyingtik cycle, Dodrupchen Rinpoche was the principal holder of the Longchen Nyingtik teachings.
Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche left Tibet and arrived in Sikkim in October 1957; from then on, he made Gangtok his permanent residence.
A master whose quiet, gentle and unassuming demeanour is complemented by a tremendous presence, Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche attended to the everyday spiritual needs of the people of Sikkim, and personally looked after the welfare of over a thousand monks in his care.
The late Kyabje Rinpochela will be remembered and recognized for his simplicity, perfection on Dharma philosophy and above all, for his insightful knowledge of the Bayul Dremo Jong and its hidden treasures for all times to come.
At this hour of bereavement, we pray for the swift transmission of his reincarnation for the benefit of all the sentient beings as he did in his lifetime.
We also pray for bestowing of courage and tolerance to all his followers at this hour of difficulties.
Last but not the least, while appreciating the effort of Sangha MLA Sri Sonam Lama and Eccl. Dept GoS in taking over all the works to propose farewell to late Kyabje Rinpochela in a Buddhist traditional manner, this organisation also appeals for a Government Gazette Notification to observe a period of mourning from Home Department, Govt. of Sikkim and a holiday on the funeral day to allow the people to pay their last respect.
Sarva Mangalam.
Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Convenor, SIBLAC
