Twelve left-out communities retaliate after CAP Chief labels them ‘Dalals’ in Sikkim

Leaders of twelve left-out communities in Sikkim have strongly condemned remarks made by Citizen Action Party (CAP) President Ganesh Rai, who recently called them “dalals” or brokers during a party meeting in Pakyong district. The leaders held a press conference today to respond to Rai’s statements, highlighting decades of their community work and contributions toward tribal recognition, language preservation, and cultural preservation.

At the press conference, representatives from communities including Kirat Khambu Rai, Gurung, Mangar, Bhujel, Kirat Dewan, Yakha, Newar, Dalit Chhetri Brahmin, Sanyasi, Sunuwar, Thami, and Jogi were present. The spokesperson thanked all media personnel and community members, stating that the twelve communities have worked tirelessly for over 90 years to protect and promote their languages, customs, and traditions.

He emphasized that these communities had prepared extensive ethnographic reports and primary data through field studies in their villages. Mothers, fathers, elders, and local leaders provided authentic information which was later compiled into four volumes. These reports, he said, were submitted to the Social Welfare Department of Sikkim and subsequently to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The committee is ready to present their findings to top government officials, including the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Tribal Affairs Minister, and even the President of India if required.

The spokesperson strongly refuted Ganesh Rai’s claim that the communities do not maintain their traditions or culture. He gave examples from personal and community life, including the three-stove ritual at weddings in the Rai community and the proper conduct of rituals for his granddaughter. “We teach our culture, traditions, language, dress, and customs from birth to death,” he said. He called Rai’s remarks insulting and demanded a public apology for using the word “hypocrites” to describe the leaders and members of the twelve communities.

The spokesperson also reminded the public that the communities have been actively promoting their languages in schools since 1996. Textbooks have been prepared from primary levels to class one, and teachers are regularly trained to ensure proper instruction in their mother tongue. “Ganesh Rai should have researched our languages and customs properly before making such baseless accusations,” he added.

Earlier, on September 8, CAP President Ganesh Rai had stated during a meeting in Pakyong that leaders of caste-based organizations and political parties are “all the same” and referred to them as brokers. He criticized these organizations for what he described as empty promises and caste-based brokerage, claiming that only agents and brokers connected to the ruling SKM government exist.