Historic Delhi meeting on Sikkim’s tribal status begins

A historic and decisive meeting that could reshape Sikkim’s future has begun in the national capital under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay). The meeting, which started today is being closely watched as it is expected to mark a major step towards Sikkim being declared a Tribal State — a long-pending aspiration of its people.

Senior officials from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and the Social Welfare Department are part of the high-level talks. The agenda includes the inclusion of 12 left-out communities — Bhujel, Gurung, Jogi, Khas, Kirat Rai, Kirat Dewan Yakha, Majhi, Mangar, Newar, Sanyasi, Sunuwar (Mukhia), and Thami — into the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. Their recognition has been one of the most significant socio-political issues in Sikkim, directly linked to the broader demand for Tribal State status.