Sikkim's Indigenous communities rally for tribal status, invoke Article 371 F for rights restoration

The Eleven +1 Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sikkim (EIECOS) are reigniting their quest for tribal status citing Article 371 as the cornerstone of their demand. Despite facing prior rejections from the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) the EIECOS remain steadfast in their resolve to reclaim the rights they held before the merger with the Indian Union.

The ORGI has repeatedly conveyed that non-fulfillment of criteria bars non-tribal communities from attaining tribal status. Raju Basnett, Convenor of EIECOS on November 25 declared a political approach stating collaboration with the state government. "This time we will pitch on the basis of Article 371 F, our special guarding provision. We are confident that approaching politically, from the ministry level, will yield positive results," he asserted.

Basnett announced plans to raise awareness through workshops across all six districts aiming to garner support for their cause. "Our demand is not new; we seek the restoration of our lost rights that predated the merger with the Indian union," he added.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang met with EIECOS + 1 at Samman Bhawan on November 24 to discuss the tribal status issue. During the meeting, EIECOS+1 and the Committee, led by Mr. TN Dhakal presented a concise overview of the tribal status draft to the State Government.

CM Tamang expressed the government's commitment pledging support and leading a delegation in early December to approach Central Government authorities. The delegation aims to engage with the Prime Minister, Home Minister and relevant authorities in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to address the longstanding issue.

The historical context of the demand was highlighted, with reference to the Chogyal's era when there were 30 seats in the National Assembly, 15 reserved for each Bhutia-Lepcha and Nepali community. The amendment in the Representatives of People's Act in 1979 altered the parity system in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly with the current configuration of 32 seats, 15 reserved for Bhutias and Lepchas, one for monks and two for SC candidates.