SIBLAC Urges CM to Safeguard Article 371F, Calls for Protection of Bhutia-Lepcha Rights

The letter also takes aim at elected representatives from the BL community, accusing them of failing to protect the interests of their people.

The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has submitted an open letter to Chief Minister P.S. Tamang (Golay), urging immediate action to protect the constitutional rights of the Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) community under Article 371F. Signed by SIBLAC Convener Tseten Tashi Bhutia, the letter raises serious concerns about governance decisions that, according to the committee, have weakened the community’s traditional rights and identity.

The letter acknowledges the Chief Minister’s earlier commitment to safeguarding Article 371F and opposing any proposal to unify Sikkim and Darjeeling. However, SIBLAC has now called for urgent government intervention on key issues affecting the BL community, including land ownership laws, reservation policies, and the security of identity documents.

One of the primary demands is the implementation of high-security holographic identity documents for Sikkim Subject Certificates (SSC) and Certificates of Identification (COI). SIBLAC argues that these crucial documents must be digitized and printed on high-security holographic paper to prevent misuse, as directed by the Hon’ble High Court of Sikkim.

The committee has also strongly opposed Notification No. 11/LD/18 (2018), which reduced the BL community’s reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions from 50% to just 8%. SIBLAC argues that this move violates Article 371F and has demanded the restoration of the original quota to ensure fair political representation for the community.

Another major concern raised is the withdrawal of Notification No. 12/Home/2018 on land transfer, which, according to SIBLAC, allowed protected Sikkimese land to be transferred to Registration Certificate (RC) holders and non-locals. The committee claims this is a direct violation of Sikkim’s traditional land laws and Article 371F, calling for immediate corrective action to prevent the erosion of indigenous land rights.

SIBLAC has also pushed for the implementation of the Ms. Sarala Committee Report, which examined the registration of immovable property by RC holders. Despite being officially acknowledged in a Cabinet Memorandum on March 5, 2022, the report remains unimplemented. SIBLAC has urged the state government to act on its recommendations without further delay.

The letter also takes aim at elected representatives from the BL community, accusing them of failing to protect the interests of their people. SIBLAC has urged BL MLAs to stand firmly in defense of their constitutional rights and be more accountable to their constituents.

Beyond addressing the government, SIBLAC’s letter is also a call to action for the Bhutia-Lepcha community. It encourages people to be aware of their rights, question their representatives, and reject political sycophancy. “Silence today will cost us our future,” the letter warns, emphasizing the need for collective vigilance in protecting the community’s rights.

While the Chief Minister’s Office has not yet issued an official response, SIBLAC’s appeal is expected to ignite serious discussions on governance policies related to Article 371F. With increasing concerns over land rights and political representation, all eyes will be on the state government’s next move.

SIBLAC’s latest demand adds to the ongoing debate about the constitutional safeguards granted to Sikkim under Article 371F.

Also Read: Sikkim’s Suicide Crisis Deepens: 13-Year-Old Girl And 25-Year-Old Man Found Dead, 22 Cases in 15 Days

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