Gangtok, August 9:
Sikkim BJP Chief Advisor and former minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia has issued a strong warning against any move to weaken Article 371F of the Indian Constitution, calling it a cornerstone of Sikkim’s identity and a matter of national security.
Speaking amid growing concerns about demographic shifts and political manipulation, Bhutia said that “Sikkim would be a big zero without Article 371F.” He emphasized that the provision is not just a legal safeguard but a foundational element of the 1975 merger between Sikkim and India.
Article 371F, which was inserted into the Constitution at the time of Sikkim’s merger, preserves pre-merger laws, protects land ownership under the 1917 Revenue Order, and ensures reserved Assembly seats for Sikkimese people. Bhutia expressed alarm over what he described as systematic attempts to dilute these protections through legislation, bureaucratic decisions, and court rulings.
He also raised concerns over changing demographics, alleging that some political parties are encouraging migration for vote-bank politics, especially in sensitive border areas. “This is not just about local identity—it’s a matter of national security,” he warned, noting Sikkim’s strategic location, bordered by China, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Taking aim at both the state and central governments, Bhutia criticized their inaction in protecting the constitutional safeguard. He urged the judiciary and lawmakers to honour the spirit of the 1975 Merger Agreement, which guarantees special provisions for Sikkim within the Indian Union.
Calling on the people of Sikkim to remain united, Bhutia said the fight to protect Article 371F is crucial for maintaining federal integrity, ethnic harmony, and India’s national interest.
