A Thousand Years Struggle To Preserve “Sikkim For Sikkimese”

   The time has come for the Sikkimese people, irrespective of caste, creed and community, to stand up for their rights, assert themselves, and be heard. We have for long placed much hope on the political leadership in the State to come to their senses and build a strong, stable, peaceful, prosperous and united Sikkim, which is not only in the interest of Sikkimese people but also those who have been living in the State in the past so many decades and for the country’s security interest in the region.

   It has now become more than clear that the combined political leadership in the State has failed to live up to the expectations of the people. The corrupt, communal, immoral and dictatorial forces in the State in the past so many years and months have virtually turned Sikkim into a den of thieves, a place where the Sikkimese people and others living here have been forced to live in great humiliation and indignity.  The Sikkimese people, comprising of the three ethnic groups – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese – instead of being masters of their own destiny, have virtually become foreigners in their own homeland.

Pix: Courtesy -  www.bayultour.com

   The democratic movement of the people for restoration of freedom, democracy and justice in the State of Sikkim has now turned sour. Instead of forging ahead with clear vision and determination to set things rights the political leadership from almost all political parties are giving undue importance to petty matters. This is a clear indication that the hopes and aspirations of the Sikkimese people have been sacrificed to fulfill the greed, ambition and self-interest of a few individuals at the top.

   Corrupt and communal forces, aided by an evil nexus of bureaucrats, businessmen and politicians, who have in the past so many years trampled over the rights and interests of the Sikkimese people, are once again flexing their muscle and making their ugly presence felt in State politics. They are determined to stay in power at whatever the cost. It is at such times as these that we ought to remind ourselves of the need to place our long-term interest before short-term gains and make a determined effort to “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty”, democracy and justice.

   Let us remind ourselves at this point of time that the real issue in our State is a fight between those who wish to wipe us out and remain perpetually in power at whatever the cost and those who have for long suffered and endured the system that thrives on lies, deceit, and corruption. The people in general today may be fooled into believing something else but we believe and are convinced that the real issue and the real fight in Sikkim today is not between this or that party or between this or that community. The real issue and the real fight is between the rich and the poor, between the haves and have-nots. A microscopic section of the elite, who have usurped power and perfected the intricate art of corruption and communal politics, are a class of their own, and do not belong to any particular community. They want to remain at the top forever.

   This is not possible. We cannot take this nonsense any longer. It is time that the Sikkimese people from all communities and from all walks of life and age assert themselves and take a firm and united stand and say in a loud and unequivocal voice that “Enough is enough’. The need of the hour is unity and solidarity amongst the Sikkimese people to preserve “Sikkim for Sikkimese.”

   By forming the Organisation of Sikkimse Unity (OSU) we have declared a thousand years war against those who wish to destroy the unity, identity and communal harmony of the Sikkimese people and the nation’s security interest in the region. Other organizations and individuals may involve themselves in petty matters and contest elections. We who belong to the Organisation of Sikkimese Unity (OSU) will fight for the basic rights and interests of the Sikkimese people no matter how long and hard the battle is. We shall fight in the Assembly. We shall fight in the Parliament. We shall fight in the Court and in the Press. If need be, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets. Wherever we are, whatever we do, we shall fight. We shall never surrender. Never.

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(Jigme N. Kazi, Chairman, Organisation of Sikkimese Unity (OSU), issued this appeal to the public through this column, On My Own, on October 24/29, 1994, prior to the Assembly elections in November, 1994. As the message was still relevant, the appeal was published again in October, 1999, prior to the Assembly elections in Oct-Nov, 1999)