Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) has stressed the need of support from all sides in its initiative to remove ‘immigrants’ tag from the Sikkimese Nepalis.
The party expressed that instead of opposing the HSP on the ‘Sikkimese Nepali‘ issue everyone needs to come together in the larger interest of the community.
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Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, HSP spokesperson Dilip Rai stated that after filing of the petition in the Supreme Court, the party has been getting various reactions and feedback from different sections and its seems that the people have confusion.
“We again want to clarify that this is just an amendment petition with a request to the Supreme Court to either delete or amend the word ‘immigrants’ in the judgement of RC Poudyal Vs the Union of India and others’ case in the Supreme Court,” said Rai.
“HSP has taken this initiative in the larger interest of the people of Sikkim,” added Rai.
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In the same vein, HSP spokesperson Biraj Adhikari clarified that the petition was not to challenge the judgement but it was a request to the apex court to either amend or delete the word ‘immigrants’ from the judgement.
He added that the word was the slur for the entire community and when no one came forward on this issue for these long years, the HSP has taken the initiative in the interest of the community.
Responding to media queries, HSP leaders stressed that if Sikkim Republican Party (SRP) was really sincere on this issue then they should welcome and support in filing of this petition instead of openly opposing the party or protesting against it.
‘We are ready for any debate on this issue with SRP and others as we area crystal clear on the issue. We do not have any hidden agenda. Our initiative is mainly for the coming generation of Sikkim,” the HSP leaders said.
They also stated that as the word ‘immigrant’ was in the apex court judgement, so the petitioners have approached the Supreme Court.
“We are not doing anything to take the credit but it is purely in the interest of the people of Sikkim. Sikkim is having Nepali Chief Ministers for the last 40 years but no one has taken any step in this regard. Even the SDF party came to power by making this issue as a poll agenda but the ruling Government has done nothing,” they stated.
They also stated that the petition was not a political stunt but it was a social and sentimental issue and connected with the sentiments of the people of Sikkim.
Responding to the ruling party claims on this issue that the tag has already been abolished, the HSP leaders questioned if the word ‘immigrant’ has already been abolished by the ruling party then why the word surfaces from time to time.
The party is planning to take out rallies on this issue at Gangtok and Delhi.