Sikkimese re-definition will change Sikkim’s demography in future: Bhaichung

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: The Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) led by its president Bhaichung Bhutia is undertaking a month-long Sikkimey Ekta Rally starting April 6 for reaching out to the people across the State.
Speaking at a press meet here on Tuesday, the HSP president informed that the proposed outreach campaign is commencing from North Sikkim after prayers at the historic Statue of Unity, Kabi Lungchok and Phodong monastery. We plan to cover the entire State and conclude our campaign at Gangtok on May 4, he said.
“We are reaching out to the people in the villages and remote areas of Sikkim with our issues and will also take note of their problems and suggestions. There are so many issues and the most important at present is dilution of Article 371F due to the recent Finance Act. Our aim is to sensitize the people on this and to appeal to them that we must all come forward to save our land rising above caste, community and party affiliation,” said Bhaichung.
The HSP president stressed that the expansion of Sikkimese definition under section 10 (26AAA) of Income Tax Act not only assaults Article 371F but also imperils the coming Sikkimese generation.
“The impact may not be immediately seen but after 10-15 years, it will directly affect our coming generation. Clause five in the amendment, I feel, is a move to change the demography in Sikkim. Those falling in this group have received income tax exemption encouragement to come and settle here. After a decade or so, the children of this group would be demanding equal job opportunities and other rights like the Sikkimese based on this amended definition. Difficult times lie ahead for our children,” claimed Bhaichung.
Bhaichung maintained that it is the “double-engine government of BJP and SKM” that is solely responsible for the alleged dilution of Article 371F.
“Everyone knows that BJP has a bigger hand on the dilution of Article 371F and distortion of Sikkimese definition. Yet, no party or group here are directly blaming the BJP. Why are they so afraid to name the BJP? The SKM is only a junior partner in this issue and is a puppet government under the BJP. It is public knowledge that BJP has the ‘one nation, one constitution’ agenda,” he said.
The HSP president argued that the SKM government had about seven days to intervene in the Finance Bill before it was given the President’s assent.
“The SKM government about 6-7 days before the Finance Bill became an Act. Yes, the Lok Sabha may have been disrupted due to which discussions could not take place. But the SKM and BJP could have rushed to Delhi and requested the President to send the bill back to the Parliament for reconsideration on the Sikkim issue. But they kept sleeping on the issue and it is clear cut that SKM government is acting like a puppet of the BJP. When Sikkim’s identity was being attacked in the Parliament, the Chief Minister was busy playing cricket and then touring Gujarat,” said Bhaichung.