‘Sikkim: The Wounds of History’ reopened by Biraj Adikhari
‘Time has come when we need to bring a sense of closure to history’
Sikkim Express: www.sikkimexpress. com
Sikkim: The Wounds of History’ reopened by Biraj Adikhari
GANGTOK, January 27: Claimed as a ‘hard look’ through the lens of the Constitution by a ‘new generation’ Sikkimese into the tumultuous events of 1973 which changed Sikkim and its spillover into present, Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) Biraj Adikhari authored book ‘Sikkim: The Wounds of History’ was released by the party treasurer Diley Namgyal Kazi and working president Tseten Lepcha here on Republic Day.
Running over 131 pages, the book’s central theme plays around the pre and post events of Article 371 F, the Constitutional shield of Sikkim. Due to the conflict introduced by certain procedures and provisions of the Constitution of India, the Sikkimese people are today increasing looking back to whatever protections they had, asserts Adikhari in his book.
Admitting that the subject matter is an old story, Adikhari said that the book is a fresh and totally radical look with some serious questions.
“This book is not about the people’s revolution of 1973. Enough books have been written about that. Rather it shall focus on retracing the constitutional jugglery which took place to define Sikkim’s status within the Union of India. The question of status is important here because we need to determine whether it is correct to club Sikkim with other ‘regular’ States of the Indian Union”, said Adikhari in his introduction of the book.
The author said that the book shall enquire into the fact that ‘after the merger/annexation, were the Sikkimese people expected to shed their distinct identity which was cultivated over the decades, and if their identity is to remain then how do they address it constitutionally’. The book ‘shall also point out the controversial steps which were taken in this whole exercise so that it invigorates the younger generation to take interest in their political past because, unfortunately, succeeding generations of Sikkimese children are growing up having a distorted version of their own history, as none of these facts are included in the school curriculum in Sikkim’, he said in the introductory part.
Questioning on the 35th amendment of the Indian Constitution that turned Sikkim into an ‘associate State’ which was retracted seven months later paving way for the 36th amendment which officially declared Sikkim to be a ‘regular State’, Adikhari said that ambiguity was further compounded considering the declaration of emergency in the country.
“At a time when India’s most powerful opposition leaders were almost voiceless, the Constitution was amended not once but twice to accommodate Sikkim. So how much of a voice did the representatives of Sikkim have in these debates for something as important as constitutional amendments”, said Adikhari in his book.
Claming the outcome of the tumultuous transition of Sikkim into a part of the Indian Union was the raging debate among the younger generation on who is a Sikkimese, Adikhari’s book adds that ‘while the Sikkimese is confused about his rights within India, the normal Indian citizen is even more confused about his rights in Sikkim today’. He had highlighted some landmark verdicts, which he said, seems to suspend the most fundamental rights of non-Sikkimese Indians in Sikkim.
Due to the massive rate of influx during the last three decades, the rapid demographic changes have increased the urgency for a clear distinction between who is a Sikkimese and who is not and special provisions accorded by Article 371F should be acknowledged by all, said Adikhari. Perhaps a new nomenclature like ‘associate State’ needs to be cooked up, he added.
Justifying the issues reinforced in his book, Adikhari said that he is bringing this up because he believes ‘time has come when we need to bring a sense of closure to history’. “There are so many questions which have not been answered yet, and this state of continuing confusion has caused the wounds left over from history to fester again. These are the wounds of history, which have been around for more than three decades now, and shall have to be addressed if Sikkim is to move into the future”, said Adikhari.
While releasing the book, the SNPP president said that he wrote the book because he had been ‘jailed’ on Republic Day last year along with the party treasurer and working president because he was claiming that Indian Constitution had been ‘violated’.
There are two types of constitution existing in Sikkim which is very unfortunate, said Adikhari adding that he is attempting to clear the confusion in his book. The book is not an extensive book but is done in a simple manner to be a first hand reference on the history of Sikkim, he added.
Excluding the introductory part, the book has six chapters on Sikkim’s history starting from the uprising to the insertion of Article 371F in the Indian Constitution. The book has also five appendixes – May 8 Tripartite Agreement of 1973, the Constitution (35th) Amendment Act 1974, The Government of Sikkim Act 1974, Resolution Dated 10/4/75 passed by the Sikkim Assembly and The Constitution (36th Amendment) Act 1975.
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SNPP is d only party in d state tat really cares abt us Sikkimese…2 bad ppl follow d leads of only d opportunists like a donkey followin a carrot…wake up people,wake up!!!
here we have a party with young, educated leaders. why don’t we support them when we keep shouting hoarse for a change? the politicians we have so far supported and brought to power have done nothing but amass wealth for themselves. i see history repeating itself today with people following a dissident leader. don’t we have a tendancy to follow the crowd? stand back and think for a second.
this party has been trying to bring about a change for sometime now, why don’t we hear them? we the supposed “educated” lot have failed to understand the language they speak after being supressed way too long. this party dared to stand up much before the leader who is now getting popular.
i’m a bit sceptical about politicians who use people from across the border to threaten and beat up our people during elections, politicians who go espousing the cause of the people across the border when there is so much to do at home and then politicians who follow the divide and rule policy.
somewhere down the line i don’t want to be sitting cursing the day we brought a certain popular leader to power. who knows by then he might be a “dr. golay”. hopefully he’s graduated beyond class-three!!!
cheers!!!
being a founder member of SDF, biraj may have good intentions, but a man is known by the company he keeps….pl. take a look at them….the ex-minister is a opportunist to the core and most of the others are disgruntled elements, i say disgruntled because they were either denied tickets or ministerial berths from the party they were in before coming together and forming the SNPP, the sad part is they nither have a mass following nor are they intellectuals with brains to do something extraordinary. Now Biraj has to decide whether he wants to be a arm chair politician and just release statements with no one paying much attention and fade away or become a true leader of the masses and make a difference. you do have the potential just get the direction right.
i can understand why they do not move around as biraj has no money and he has to be dependent on people like Delay Kazi who is nothing but a money crazy bum!!
Before making any statements or comments read the book first ,,, it’s only 100 odd pages. Then we can have a constructive and positive discussion. It’s not just about politics and power …. its about the future . for once let us rise above our communities and political affiliations and think clearly about what has happened in the past and what’s in store for us in the future ….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaTaA4aUZq8
Cheers 2 Mr Adhikari n SNPP again…They hav given a birth 2 an idea or rather a cause..even though we may not find much takers at d moment,the efforts of SNPP wont go in vain…truth shall prevail!!!
Ya read the book and it is indeed an eye opener. The people of Sikkim had been in a stupor for al these years and thought that nothing could be done about the :merger” and that we had to take whatever was thrown at us. Now this book gives a direction by which a democratic movement can be built up and the people can ask o check whether article 371F really meets the objectives of the 8th may agreement of 1973. But I disgaree with my friend above that we may not find much takers because I now believe that this book will bring a radical changes in thinking. Cheers Mr. Adhikari, I can only say that you have done Sikkim a service of the order which will make history remember your name forever.
by the way check this Amnesty International link
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA20/026/1994/en/1b07b6ad-ebf8-11dd-9b3b-8bf635492364/asa200261994en.html
These guys have always taken up the issues for the Sikkimese people and this book will be a huge eye opener. As a young Sikkimese my only request is for all the younger generation to read this book (which is at most bookstores in town) or borrow from someone who has. You have to do this if you want to safeguard your future. You have to understand what happened otherwise our future as Sikkimese is doomed. The nepalis should remember the seat reservation now and SNPP has talked of it earlier.
Also read this.
http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/12/10/0812101834_snpp_seeks_reservation_of_13_seats_for_nepali_origin_people.html