Supreme Court’s ruling on domicile raises grave concerns for Sikkim’s special status: CAP

GANGTOK, : Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim has demanded clarifications from the SKM government regarding the Supreme Court’s judgment which declared the concept of regional or provincial domicile alien to the Indian legal system.

While the ruling pertains to residence-based reservations in PG medical admissions, its broader implications on Sikkim’s special status under Article 371F cannot be ignored, asserted CAP Sikkim vice president (political affairs) Bhushan Adhikari in a Thursday press statement.

CAP Sikkim demands that the SKM government immediately clarify whether this judgment will affect the rights of Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) and Certificate of Identification (COI) holders, said Adhikari.

“The CAP Sikkim firmly believes that the concept of domicile is at the core of Sikkim’s special status. If all citizens of India carry a single domicile, as the Supreme Court states, does this mean that the protections granted under Article 371F will be rendered meaningless? Will the SSC and COI lose their significance in future legal interpretations? These are urgent questions that demand immediate answers from the SKM-led government,” said Adhikari.

The CAP Sikkim vice president contended that over the past few years, there has been a “systematic dilution” of Constitutional safeguards for Sikkim and Sikkimese under Article 371F.

“The recent Supreme Court judgment expanding the definition of “Sikkimese” in income tax matters has already created widespread insecurity among the people. Now, this ruling on domicile further adds salt to the wound, raising fears that Sikkim’s unique identity is being gradually eroded,” said Adhikari.

“At a time when Sikkim is already facing major challenges ranging from economic instability to environmental disasters—this judgment poses yet another existential threat to the rights and privileges of Sikkimese people. The silence of the SKM government on these crucial issues is unacceptable. CAP Sikkim urges the Chief Minister and his administration to take a clear and firm stand on whether this ruling has any bearing on Sikkim’s legal framework,” said the CAP Sikkim vice president.

Adhikari called up all right-thinking citizens to demand answers and stand united in safeguarding Sikkim’s unique identity.