Sikkim Congress
Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharat Basnet addressing the media. File Image - Northeast Now

Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) on Friday alleged that the BJP-led NDA government has been making continuous attempts to end the special protection and identity of Sikkim.

While addressing a press conference here on Friday, Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharat Basnet alleged, “When the people of Sikkim have been suffering from the regional party’s governments in the state and now, the Centre has made attempts to end the rights and identity of Sikkim.”

He also stated that the people of Sikkim need to understand that the Congress party, which has given special protection and safeguard through the Article 371F, can only save the people of Sikkim.

Addressing the media, Basnet also stated, “The people of Sikkim participated in the referendum to become the part of India through the May 8 Agreement but now, the BJP has been trying repeatedly to destroy the identity of Sikkim.”

He alleged that the Centre removed the picture of Mount Kanchenjunga from Rs 100 note, denied tribal status to the left-out communities and has tried to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the northeastern region.

The Sikkim Congress president also mentioned that now, the Centre has issued a notification on issuing SC and ST certificates to members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes communities migrated to Sikkim from other States.

He strongly condemned it and said it was an attack on the identity of Sikkim.

Basnet demanded that this notification be withdrawn immediately.

He accused the Centre of conspiring to create unrest in the state.

Basnet stated that if the Centre wants to finish the special protection of Sikkim then it will have to reject the referendum of the people of Sikkim. He warned the BJP not to attack Sikkim repeatedly.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]