SKM strongly condemns divisive rant against Khas, to initiate legal action

GANGTOK,: Ruling SKM on Monday strongly condemned the alleged derogatory and volatile statements made by one Samson Tamang against the Khas (Bahun-Chettri) community.

The accused’s inflammatory rant on his social media page has been widely condemned by political and apolitical organisations in Sikkim.

His statements are false, irrational and unacceptable, said SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling while condemning the communal and divisive statements made by Samson.

Khaling maintained that the Sikkimese communities have been staying in close harmony and as such, such baseless statements do not hold any importance to the Sikkimese society and political landscape.

The SKM party has taken seriously the hurt felt by the Khas community due to a mentally unstable person and will initiate necessary legal action against him, said the SKM spokesperson.

In his press statement, Khaling also condemned the attempts being made by certain political parties to associate Samson Tamang with the SKM and to shift the blame on the ruling front. It is unfortunate that these political parties and certain individuals are using this issue for their political gains, he said.

No leaders from SKM have any ideological or political connection with Samson Tamang, asserted Khaling. Taking photos is simple in this era of technology and accordingly, some photos may have been taken with him but it is illogical to infer that those photos mean political or ideological association, he said.

Meanwhile, SKM functionaries Karma Subba and Yougan Tamang, as concerned citizens of Sikkim, filed a police complaint against Samson Tamang and his Facebook page for making alleged offensive statements and hurting the sentiments of the Khas community of Sikkim.

The complaint was lodged at Gangtok Sadar police station.

The duo strongly condemns the derogatory remarks made in the video and firmly states that such actions are unacceptable in a state that values its cultural, social, and communal harmony. They reaffirm that Sikkim and its people will not tolerate any disrespect towards the dignity and unity of its communities.

This matter calls for collective solidarity, and we stand united in spirit to uphold the harmony and mutual respect that define Sikkim, said the duo in a press statement.