Latest news with #Article371F
United News of India
09-08-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
BJP leader warns against any move to dilute Article 371F in Sikkim
Gangtok, Aug 9 Former Minister and Chief Advisor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sikkim unit, Tseten Tashi Bhutia, has issued a strong statement warning that Sikkim without Article 371F would be 'a big zero.' He stressed that the special constitutional provision is not a privilege, but the very foundation of Sikkim's merger with India in 1975. Article 371F, included in the Indian Constitution at the time of Sikkim's statehood, protects the ownership rights of Sikkimese people through the Revenue Order of 1917, safeguards the Sikkim Subject Certificates and their descendants, ensures reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly, and preserves pre-merger laws and customs. Bhutia expressed deep concern that in recent years there have been attempts to weaken these protections through legislation, administrative decisions, or court rulings. He said that instead of celebrating Sikkim's 50 years of statehood in 2025 with pride, many people now live with fear and insecurity. He pointed to demographic changes since 1975, claiming that migration from neighbouring countries has shifted political priorities and led to non-locals controlling much of Sikkim's economy. He also warned that permanent settlement of outsiders in sensitive border areas could threaten national security. According to him, some local politicians have encouraged this trend for vote-bank politics, offering freebies and ignoring long-term risks. Bhutia criticised both the state and central governments for failing to act decisively. He noted that Sikkim has only one representative each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, giving the state limited influence in Delhi. He accused certain IAS and IPS officers of working for personal gain rather than public welfare, in collusion with political leaders. Calling for urgent action, Bhutia appealed to the judiciary, lawmakers, and constitutional authorities to uphold the original spirit of the 1975 Merger Agreement. He said court judgments in the past have sometimes gone against the interests of the Sikkimese people due to misleading information from state authorities. If this continues, he warned, it could erode public trust, harm ethnic harmony, and compromise national security given Sikkim's borders with China, Bhutan, and Nepal. Bhutia urged all Sikkimese citizens to stay united and vigilant in defending Article 371F. He also reminded policymakers that weakening it would not just harm Sikkim's identity, but also threaten India's federal structure and national interest. 'Any weakening of Article 371F is not just an attack on Sikkim's identity, it is a threat to India's federal integrity and national interest,' Bhutia said. UNI SUJ AAB
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi to visit Gangtok on March 29 for Sikkim statehood day celebrations
Gangtok (Sikkim) [India],May 25 (ANI) : The Government of Sikkim along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gangtok on March 29 for the Statehood Day celebrations. Addressing media persons here, BJP Sikkim President DR Thapa said that the people of Sikkim are eagerly awaiting the Prime Minister's visit . He stated that the visit would mark the beginning of new opportunities and developmental projects for the state. 'He will inaugurate many infrastructural projects across Sikkim and also lay the foundation stone of several upcoming initiatives,' Thapa said. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Sikkim's statehood, Thapa extended warm greetings to the people of the state. He also paid tribute to those who played a role in Sikkim's merger with India. Remembering the leaders of the state, he said, 'On this occasion, I want to thank all those who were involved in the merger of Sikkim with India. I remember all the six Chief Ministers and their teams of Independent Sikkim from first Chief Minister LD Kazi to Nar Bahadur Bhandari, Sanchaman Limboo, BB Gurung, Pawan Chamling, and incumbent Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay for all their work and efforts.' Referring to Prime Minister's address at the recent Rising Northeast Investors Meet, Thapa said that it opened new avenues for all northeastern states, including Sikkim. He emphasized the need for Sikkim to seize these opportunities. Thapa also said that several long-pending demands of the state will be raised during the Prime Minister's visit. These include safeguarding Article 371F, inclusion of 12 left-out communities of Sikkim under tribal status, and the demand for separate Limboo-Tamang seats in the State Assembly, among other political issues. He further mentioned that the matter of reconstruction of National Highway 10, which suffered damage from North Sikkim to Siliguri in West Bengal following the recent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), will also be taken up with the Prime Minister. In view of Sikkim's unpredictable weather conditions, and to ensure the visit is not disrupted, Thapa shared that party workers and citizens are conducting prayers and rituals across the state. 'The party delegation is doing Puja and rituals in temples, monasteries, churches, and mosques across Sikkim for seeking blessings for clear weather on that day,' he said.(ANI)
