Sikkimey Nagarik Samaj condemns Gorkha Rastriya Congress over merger remarks

The Sikkimey Nagarik Samaj (SNS) has strongly condemned the statement by the Gorkha Rastriya Congress (GRC) advocating for a Sikkim-Darjeeling merger, calling it baseless, irresponsible, and a threat to Sikkim’s constitutional integrity.

In a press release issued today, SNS criticized the GRC’s remarks, emphasizing that such propositions distort historical facts and undermine the special provisions guaranteed to Sikkim under Article 371F of the Indian Constitution. These provisions, established after Sikkim’s merger with India in 1975, safeguard the state’s unique identity, culture and political status.

“Any attempt to question or weaken these constitutional safeguards is not only anti-Sikkimese but also an affront to the democratic values of our nation,” said Samso Subba, General Secretary of SNS.

The organization highlighted the distinct historical and political trajectories of Sikkim and Darjeeling, despite their cultural affinities. It asserted that the GRC’s statement is divisive, inflammatory, and rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the region’s history. SNS warned that such ill-informed remarks could destabilize the peace and harmony of the region.

Calling for unity among the people of Sikkim, SNS urged the state and central governments to take immediate action against such divisive rhetoric. “Sikkim is a beacon of unity in diversity, and any attempt to tarnish its unique identity will be met with strong opposition from its people,” Subba said.