Hamro Sikkim Party demands resignation of BJP and SKM MLAs after expansion of Sikkimese term in Finance Act 2023

In a press statement, the Hamro Sikkim Party said that the Act has severely diluted the safety net of Sikkim, which is Article 371F

The Hamro Sikkim Party has demanded the resignation of all BJP and SKM MLAs from their posts immediately following the opposition over the recently passed Finance Bill 2023 by the Lok Sabha, which has now become an Act on March 31, after the signature of the President of India and publication in the Gazette of India.

It may be mentioned that the Lok Sabha on March 26 passed the Finance Bill, which expanded the Sikkimese term as per the amendments made to the Bill.

In a press statement, the Hamro Sikkim Party said that the Act has severely diluted the safety net of Sikkim, which is Article 371F.

“The amendment has added two new categories to the definition of Sikkimese, completely taking away the special identity of Sikkimese,” the statement added.

The HSP has accused both the BJP and the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party, adding both the double-engine government and the SKM are equally responsible for this dilution of Article 371F.

The HSP further alleged that the act has betrayed the trust of the people of Sikkim and undermined their cultural and social identity.

“By diluting Article 371F, the BJP and SKM have disrespected the historical significance of Sikkim’s merger with India in 1975,” it added.

As per the Hamro Sikkim Party, it all started after the state and central governments gave the NOC to the Supreme Court of India to extend the definition of Sikkimese.

“Their NOC and ignorance had also caused a foreigner tag on the Sikkimese Nepali community, for which they apologised in the Supreme Court but never apologised to the people of Sikkim.”

The HSP has also called out the SKM for celebrating “Vijay Diwas” after diluting Article 371F.

The party also noted that after the NOC, the Finance Minister of the BJP bulldozed the Finance Bill in Parliament without any discussion, adding that, for the first time in the history of India, the ruling party, i.e., the BJP, was itself disrupting the Parliament.”

HSP lashed out at SKM MPs, alleging they didn’t oppose the bill and didn’t even write an application to hold on to this particular amendment.

“They have lost the moral right to represent the people of Sikkim, and their actions have left the people of Sikkim vulnerable to exploitation and marginalisation.” HSP further added to this in its press statement.

Also Read: Expansion of Sikkimese term as per Finance Act 2023: Stiff all round opposition, black badge campaign begins

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