Sikkim Congress condemns Shamson Tamang's divisive remarks, demands immediate action

The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) has condemned the derogatory remarks made by Shamson Tamang, a resident of Peshok in Darjeeling District, West Bengal. Tamang’s offensive comments, posted on the social media platform Patrukar, target the Khas community (Bahun-Chhetri) and Hindu religion, seeking to sow discord and disrupt the harmony between communities in the region.

SPCC President, Gopal Chettri, expressed grave concern over Tamang’s remarks, calling them an attempt to create ethnic and religious divide in an area where the people have historically lived in unity, bound by a shared cultural heritage. Chettri emphasized that such remarks threaten the deep-rooted peace and solidarity between the Gorkhali communities of Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills, which has been maintained for centuries.

“The comments made by Shamson Tamang are not only irresponsible but also dangerous,” said Chettri. “They undermine the unity and harmony that our communities have built over generations. Any attempt to defame a particular group and disrupt this peace is absolutely unacceptable.”

The SPCC has demanded a comprehensive investigation to determine who is behind the anti-Khas rhetoric being spread by Tamang. The party has called on the Sikkim government and administration to take immediate legal action against him. “If the government fails to act swiftly and decisively, it will be held accountable for any unrest that may follow,” Chettri warned.

There are circulating images on social media suggesting that Tamang may have connections with high-ranking officials within the Sikkim government. This has raised suspicions that he may be receiving political support. In light of these concerns, the SPCC has urged the government to clarify its position and take strong legal action against Tamang.

Chettri also pointed out the possibility of external political forces influencing Tamang’s statements. He noted that his remarks seem to reflect the language and tone often used by certain Nepali national politicians, which is unprecedented in the Sikkim and Darjeeling region. “Such external interference, if it exists, is an attempt to destabilize our peaceful region, and we strongly oppose it,” he stated.

The SPCC has called on the people of Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills to stand together and reject such divisive rhetoric. Chettri concluded by stressing that the unity of the people must be preserved, and any attempt to fracture it must be met with decisive legal action.

“We demand that the Sikkim government take immediate steps to address this issue,” he added. “If the situation is not handled swiftly, we will escalate our movement, as we will not tolerate any attempt to fracture the unity of our people.”