Entire credit goes to the people of Sikkim: DR Thapa

“Issue not yet over as clarity on ‘Sikkimese’ word not addressed”
GANGTOK,: Entire credit for removal of ‘foreigner’ tag on Sikkimese Nepali community goes to people of Sikkim who collectively led a sustained campaign against such remark in the January 13 Supreme Court judgement, maintained State BJP president DR Thapa on Wednesday.

“Within a few days of the January 13 verdict where such ‘foreigner’ remark was made, the people of Sikkim came out to protests through rallies and did a sustained campaign to send a strong message to the Government of India. For the removal of such remarks, all the credit goes to the people of Sikkim who were united in their stand. I also congratulate the JAC and all organisations that fought for this cause to protect our identity,” said Thapa to media.

The State BJP president also thanked the Union government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah. Without their support, this would not have happened, he said.

“The biggest platform for us was to approach the Centre but no one from the State government was approaching the Centre. Till February 4, there was no initiative from the State government and even the Chief Minister was saying that there is no need to go to Delhi. We made our approach and got an appointment with the Union Home minister on this issue,” said Thapa.

Thapa added that though he was happy on removal of ‘foreigner’ tag, he was disappointed that the dilution of ‘Sikkimese’ word was not addressed. Unfortunately, our State advocate did not raise this issue in the Supreme Court. Once the judgment copy is received, we will study it and take further steps, he added.

The issue is not over yet, it is still here but today our State advocate could not place it properly and it could not be discussed in the SC, stressed Thapa maintaining that there must a clarity on ‘Sikkimese’ definition. He said he will be taking up this issue in the Assembly session on Thursday adding that clarity on Sikkimese word is also equally important.

“There was unrest for days in Sikkim due to the State government’s carelessness. Even today, it is seen that our advocate is sitting here and arguing the case in Supreme Court. The State government is not serious, the people here are more serious. The Union Home minister had said there should be no politics on this issue but here they do not work and only do politics…they are more focussed on how to take credit. The credit goes to the people of Sikkim and nobody else,” said Thapa.