SIKKIM OBSERVER  Saturday   June 29 – July 5,  2013    

 ‘Sikkimese Nepalese’ defend their special status, condemn old settlers for calling them ‘foreigners’

DN Nepal supports Kabi-Lungtsok sanctity; Biraj Adhikari for restoration of Assembly seats for Sikkimese Nepalese

Duknath Nepal

Gangtok, June 28: Sikkimese Nepalese leaders have strongly condemned and vehemently resisted attempts made by some members of the old business community in the State to label them as ‘foreigners.’

According to them, some members of the old settlers of the State have in their petition in the Supreme Court on the income tax issue have alleged that ‘Sikkimese Nepalese’ are ‘foreigners’ in the State.

The Sikkim Liberation Party President Duknath Nepal in a press statement said his party workers have been instructed “to be prepared of any kind of circumstances” in opposing those who have labeled them as foreigners.

“This is not the first time that Sikkimese have been under attack and their rights being impinged upon. From the very first day of being the part of India, there has been grand design against the interest of Sikkimese people,” Nepal said in the statement.

“Some elements have been relentless in their effort to point fingers time and again against the Sikkimese people,” Nepal added.

He has pointed out that the Constitution has recognized “only three ethnic communities as the bonafide of Sikkim, and they are Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali” and not those who represent the business community in the State.

Nepal has also supported the efforts made by the State’s minority Bhutia-Lepchas to preserve the historic and sacred site of Kabi-Lungtsok in North Sikkim.

“While on the one side the majority are being tagged as foreigners, there has been persistently cowardly attack to destroy the historical base of the minority community,” Nepal said and appealed “to all the section of the Sikkimese society to stand united to fight the diabolical forces.”

Biraj Adhikari

“Historical places are neither constructed or developed, instead protected and conserved,” Nepal said.

The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) feels betrayed by old settlers of the State for describing Sikkimese Nepalese as “foreigners” in their writ petition in the Supreme Court.

“The SNPP strongly condemns the choice of words used in the petition to describe the Sikkimese of Nepali origin as foreigners, which shows an absolute lack of sensitivity on the part of the petitioners regarding the sentiment and pride of the majority community who, incidentally, have been supporting the petitioners in their efforts to exempt themselves from paying Income Tax from the beginning,” SNPP President Biraj Adhikari said in a Press statement.

“The party feels this is a betrayal of the trust which has existed for so long and is of the opinion that just a simple apology to the Nepali community will not suffice, and the petitioners will have to make visible efforts in order bring back the trust as it was,” Adhikari said.

The SNPP chief also reiterated the Sikkimese Nepalese’ demand for restoration of their reserved seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Adhikari said, “till the seat reservation is restored, the Sikkimese of Nepali origin will not get their due even after having papers like the Sikkim Subject Certificate, and will be subject to these demeaning accusations in the future also.”

 “The party hopes that this incident will be the eye-opener for the people to renew their demands for the restoration of seat reservations which were in place and which will put an end to such absurd insinuations,” Adhikari added.

 While condemning the allegation, the Sikkimey Nepali Jaatiya Sangharsha Samiti  has threatened to stage a state-wide non-cooperation movement if members of the old settlers in the State fail to apologize and rectify the mistake in the writ petition.

Reportedly, members of the old settlers have assured that allegations against Sikkimese Nepalese in their petition would be amended.

SDF has ‘betrayed’ Sikkim: SSP

SSP President NB Bhandari during his campaign in east Sikkim

Gangtok, June 28: Sikkim Sangram Parishad feels “betrayed” by the Chamling Government, which came to power in 1994. One of the objectives of the party is to “abolish the misrule” of the ruling party and “give proper justice to the innocent people of Sikkim.”

This assurance was made to several youths of Syari Assembly Constituency, who joined the SSP yesterday.

The youths informed SSP President NB Bhandari the “hope and aspiration” of the people have not been realized in the 19-year rule of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front government.

The joining of the youths follows the SSP’s “Jan Bichar Bimarsha Adhiyan” campaign in the State under Bhandari’s leadership.

The campaign reached several towns in east district such as Pakyong and Ranipool on Wednesday where people placed their grievances against the government to the SSP chief.

The SSP was revived on May 24 last month when Bhandari - formely President of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee – took over the party as its President.

Bhaichung slams SFA for ignoring demands

Gangtok, June 28: Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Thursday said he was upset with the attitude of the Sikkim Football Association (SFA) as it had ‘ignored’ the demands of the clubs of the state.

Bhutia, CEO of United Sikkim Football Club, said the recently formed Football Club Association of Sikkim (FCAS) had sent its demands twice to the SFA but got a reply which only told the clubs to comply with 13-point criteria.

“The criterion was such that even Asian Football Confederation did not apply them to foreign teams to take part in tournaments organised by them,” he told a press conference.

“This is just telling us indirectly that we are not welcome to contribute for the benefit of football at the grassroots level,” Bhaichung, an executive member of the FCAS, said.

Various other members of the FCAS were present at the press conference, PTI reported.

Among other demands, FCAS had sought that two members of all clubs that have played in Senior Division S-League for a minimum of five years be given permanent membership with voting rights in the SFA and two FACS executive members be made executive members of SFA.

Another demand of the FCAS was that clubs from within and around Gangtok playing in S-League and Independence Day tournaments be given Rs. 5,000 per match by the organizing committee. Also, teams from outside Gangtok be given taxi fare besides Rs 5,000.

The SFA reply had puzzled everyone as, if the 13-point criteria was followed, many clubs would fail to qualify even for the local S-league since SFA wanted that 20 players of each participating club would have to be below 20 years of age, Bhutia said.

“We met the sports minister today. He has assured us to intervene in this matter,” he said.

Pandey had betrayed people in 2004 Assembly polls: ‘Save Kabi Longtsok’ Prez

Gangtok, June 28: Palden Bhutia – or Pandey – the person who ditched the Congress party and the people of Kabi-Tingda by failing to file his nomination papers for the 2004 Assembly polls is now under attack.

He has been heavily criticized by ‘Save Kabi Longtsok’ President Sonam Tshering Bhutia on his efforts to defile the sanctity of the historic and sacred site of Kabi-Lungtsok in Kabi, North Sikkim.

According to Sonam Tshering Bhutia, Pandey is the President of Kabi Longtsok Development Association (KLDA), which has a stake in the proposed construction works of the State Government at the historic site.

“The people of Kabi-Tingda constituency once has thrown him out of society for betraying the people of his constituency by absconding from filing nomination in 2004 General Assembly Election. People even conducted Black Puja against him for stopping the people of Kabi-Tingda from their voting right and exercising their adult franchise which comes once in a five years.

Each and every individual in Sikkim is aware of this man Mr. Palden alias Pandey’s history, character and his nature,” Bhutia said in a press statement.

Editorial

SIKKIMESE NEPALESE

Harmony Must Be Maintained

Nepalese living outside Nepal have always been wary of the ‘foreigner’ tag labeled on them. This is the main reason behind the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland in India. Even Sikkimese Nepalese, at times, feel a sense of insecurity on the issue. This is evidenced from how some Nepalese political and social organizations in Sikkim reacted this week against Sikkimese Nepalese being labeled as ‘foreigners’ in a petition of the old settlers of the former kingdom in the court. Whatever their history, the fact is that majority of bonafide Sikkimese are Sikkimese Nepalese and they possess genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate.

Fortunately, the old settlers’ organization promptly decided to rectify the allegation in their petition. At times such as these there is the need for all sections of people in Sikkim to act with caution and to maintain the peace, unity and communal harmony that is so vital to this very sensitive and strategic border State. Hopefully, the three ethnic communities and others living in the State will stand strong and united against any bid to tear apart their unity and peace.

An Appeal:‘Please Save Kabi Longtsok’

By TSETEN TASHI BHUTIA

“Our future depends on our ability to honor and maintain long-standing spiritual practices." - J.D. Educator

“No meaningful performance of Buddhist rituals is possible if this land and water is desecrated.”- Prof. P.S. Ramakrishnan

The appellation Kabi Longtsok derived from the sacred occasion of swearing-in of the oath of blood-brotherhood between the Great Lepcha Patriarch Thekong Tek and Cho Khye Bhumsa in the 13th.Century.

‘Kabi’ meaning Ka-yu-sa-vi or our blood and ‘Long’ meaning stone and ‘Tsok’ meaning erect in Lepcha. Kayu-sa-vi-na Long- tsok in Lepcha, that is, erect stone with our blood which is an oath sworn.

The modern history of Sikkim has direct connection with the history of blood brotherhood between Thekong Tek and Khye Bhumsa.

Khye Bhumsa and his wife had no issue even after the passage of several years. When he heard about a legendary Lepcha Patriarch Thekong Tek of Sikkim, who was duly venerated as an emanation of the Guru Rinpoche, he instantly decided to seek his blessing and according to the prophecy, set southward of Tibet. On meeting Thekong Tek, he requested him for a boon of a son which Thekong Tek considered the request and gave his blessings. The following year a son was born to Khye  Bhumsa. Much delighted by the miracle, Khye  Bhumsa out of gratitude decided to pay tribute to the great Lepcha Patriarch with gifts and offerings and visited him again at Kabi Longtsok..

During this meeting, Thekong Tek lifted the child in a playful mood, accidentally one foot of the child touched his forehead. Thekong Tek pondered over this occurrence and insisted for an Oath of eternal blood brotherhood between Lepchas and the Bhutias.

  This oath taking ceremony witnessed the sacrifice of several animals with invocation of the local deities to witness the occasion of this solemn oath of Blood brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias as one and inseparable single entity. Both Thekong Tek and Khye Bhumsa put their feet in a blood-filled vessel and sat upon raw animal hides with the intestine of the animal tied around them and blood splattered all around.  Thekong Tek invited and involved all the local deities led by the eternal guardian deity of Sikkim Khang-Chen-dzod-nga or Kintsoom Zaongboo Cheu to witness the historic occasion of Blood brotherhood treaty.

He also directed the deities to bless those who observed this oath most sincerely and faithfully and curse on those who tries to break their relationship or refuses to comply with it.

As such, realizing the prophecies of Guru Rinpoche and as discharged and interpreted by the great Lepcha Patriarch Thekong Tek, the indigenous Bhutia-Lepchas became a single inseparable entity since  the 13th.Century A.D. after this historic oath taking ceremony, which was witnessed by non-other than the Khangchen Dzod-nga Tag-Tse at Kabi Longtsok Drag-Chen.

Commemorating the significance of the event, Supreme Guardian deity of Sikkim Mt. Khangchen Dzonga is still venerated also as “Witness God” during the annual Pang-Lhabsol ceremony in Sikkim.

After this, the descendent of Khey Bhumsa; Mipon-Rab, Guru Tashi, Gyalpo Apha, Gyalpo Nagpo, Guru Tenzing and then the first “consecrated” Chogyal of Sikkim, Phintso Namgyal in 1642 A.D. succeeded Khey Bhumsa.

While Ney-da Thekong Mon- Slong of Ney Thakthungrong-Phamorong was requested by Mahaguru to guide and help the local guardian deities in protecting and preserving all hidden dharma treasures and sacred locations as explicitly mentioned in Denzong Neyig. There is a belief that the Lepcha Chief Mon-Slong was the host when three lamas arrived in Sikkim land.

To perpetuate the treaty and its objective of unity, peace and harmony amongst the future generation of the land, a symbolic stone was erected as per tradition with blood splattered over it, which can be witnessed even today where we pray, worship and make offerings without or with our Bongthings and Monks traditionally.

The value and significance of 13th.Century Blood brotherhood of Kabi Longtsok between Bhutia and Lepchas as single inseparable entity is legalized, approved and confirmed today even by the parliament of largest democratic country in the world officially as BL (Bhutia-Lepcha) and therefore, any attack to dislodge the brotherhood is unconstitutional, illegal and not acceptable as prophesied by the Great Lepcha Patriarch Thekong Tek. (The writer is a former Minister and Convenor of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee – SIBLAC)

Sikkim Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh defends ‘Sikkimese Nepalese’ status, condemns old settlers’ stand

Gangtok, June 28: The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) has condemned aspersions cast against Sikkimese Nepalese by old settlers of the State.

In a press statement, BGP Sikkim unit President KN Sharma said “anti-social elements” within the State’s old settlers had in their petition in the Supreme Court on the income tax issue alleged that Sikkimese Nepalese are foreigners.
Sharma said the “so-called older settlers” of the former kingdom refused to accept Sikkim subject status when it was given to all residents of Sikkim under certain criteria in 1961. They should now not label “native Sikkimese Nepalese as foreigner,” the release said.

“The IT exemption by Government is constitutionally guaranteed to the native Sikkimese under the preview of the provisions granted under article 371 (F) which excludes these so-called old settlers,” Sharma said.

 ‘Save Kabi Longtsok” holds peace puja, gets wide support

Gangtok, June 28: The ‘Save Kabi Longtsok Committee’ has thanked all those who participated in the peace puja performed at the historic Kabi-Lungtsok site in North Sikkim on  Monday and giving it the much-needed support in opposing the State Government project at the site.

Committee President Sonam Tshering Bhutia, in a press statement, thanked Ong Shezum (Lepcha Youth Asso.),Sikkim, NASBO, Save Sikkim from West Sikkim, Denzong Chyarig Tsogpa, All Sikkim Monastery Association(ASMA) and many others, including Ex-Chief Secretary  Sonam Wangdi, Ex-MP ,Ex-Minister, and members of other communities “for their support and appreciation shown for fighting against illegal project” at the sacred site.

INTERVIEW OF THEWEEK

DEV GURUNG

“Polls are ploy to Sikkimize Nepal”       

  CPN-Maoist is all set to launch the second round of its nationwide protests against the government’s ‘unilateral’ decision to hold Constituent Assembly elections on November 19. The party has ruled out dialogue unless their demands, including the resignation of the CJ-led government, are met. Is it still possible for CPN-Maoist to find common ground with the Big Four and the Regmi government on CA polls? How will it respond if its demands are not met? Kathmandu’s Republica talked to the outspoken CPN-Maoist Party Secretary Dev Gurung on various issues confronting the former Hindu Kingdom. Excerpts of the interview:

Republica: Your party seems determined to disrupt upcoming polls. Is that the right perception?

Dev Gurung: Election is not the right solution to the problems the country faces today. Look at what happened in Sikkim. Election there cost the territory its sovereignty. The same thing happened in Fiji. Let there be no doubt: The proposed election is not meant to give a new constitution. If the parties really wanted to make one, they would have done so through the old CA. The problem is not absence of election, but the deeply rooted rastriya atmasamarpanbad (‘national capitulation’) among the top leaders of four parties.

R: CPN-Maoist has been raising the bogey of Sikkimization for quiet sometime now. What is the basis of your suspicion?

DG: Isn’t it obvious? Article 21 of the 25-point constitution amendment proposal has provisioned for citizenship distribution by descent, even for temporary residents of foreign origin living along the border. We share a porous border with India. Citizenship is the only means to distinguish Nepalis from foreigners there. But the current citizenship distribution system has allowed even foreigners to get citizenships on the eve of election.

    In time, foreigners will become dominant, and real Nepalis will be pushed into a minority. Events over the last two years suggest that we are indeed on the way to being Sikkimized. Foreign forces are conspiring to turn Nepal into another Sikkim and, if that is not possible, into another Bhutan. The election is a part of the same design.

R: Only a couple of days ago your party chairman said that the party could participate in the polls if they were deferred from November 19.

DG: We wanted to give four parties enough time to correct their wrongs. Let us first forge broad consensus, resolve the citizenship issue, and bring politics back into our own hands. We can even make a political declaration of consensus. If it takes a few more months to settle these issues, let it be so. Election can wait.

R: Many partners in your 42-party alliance support election. Unlike CPN-Maoist, no other party is asking that the government resigns. Doesn’t it sometimes feel like a lost cause?

DG: It is not a question of how many supporters we have. We may have a few things in common with the 41 other parties, but we are fighting for a completely different agenda. We are fighting for no less than national sovereignty and independence.

R: What are minimum criteria for your participation in the polls?

DG: The problem is neither the government nor the four parties are interested in settling disputes through negotiation. If they were, they would halt election process and we would put our protest programs on hold. But the four parties and government are forging ahead, updating voter roll, announcing poll date and enacting electoral laws without taking us into confidence. They have taken us to the point of no return. They have left us no room to participate in the polls.

R: But isn’t election intended to bring a new legislature parliament as well?

DG: Like I said, the problem is not the election. If one person is ill, you can’t cure him by treating another person. The root cause of our problems is the tendency of our political leaders to capitulate before foreigners. If they stand united on national issues, foreign powers will be helpless. If the parties agree to restore the country’s political rights, we are ready to compromise on anything.

R: How can this be done?

DG: The Big Four need to correct past mistakes. The parties are staging the farce of election without getting the basics right. Their first mistake was to hold the CA hostage for four years and then to dissolve it. The four parties should not have supported Bhattarai’s unconstitutional move of dissolving the CA and legislature parliament. The President’s 25-point amendment order killed the spirit of interim constitution. Then they appointed Chief Justice as the PM. All this has happened under the direct order of foreign powers. These need to be corrected.

PRIDE OF SIKKIM

NIMA DOMA BHUTIA

Nima Doma Bhutia  of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Gangyap, West Sikkim, was  awarded 'Chacha Nehru Sports Award' for the 2nd time in  two years.

Nima Doma Bhutia, a class XII student of EMRS,was once again awarded the ‘Chacha Nehru Sports Award’ in basketball by CBSE, New Delhi, for her amazing performance in the under 19 CBSE Basketball Nationals last December in Jaipur, where EMRS stood as Silver Medalists. She received a cheque for a sum of Rs. 6,000/-.The letter from CBSE,  stating her winning the award along with the cheque was received on 21st of June 2013.

Bhutia had won the same award last year too when she led EMRS to victory in the CBSE Basketball Nationals in Tamil Nadu.

Nima Doma expressed her gratitude to her coach, her team mates and all her well wishers as well as the entire Eklavyian teaching faculty and school management committee and said she dedicates the award to them. Her one dream is to play for the country and so continues to train and practise hard.