Tribal leader Tseten Tashi Bhutia raises concern over Sikkim’s future, urges people to stay vigilant

Prominent tribal leader Tseten Tashi Bhutia has issued a strong appeal to the people of Sikkim, urging them to safeguard the state's identity and future. In a statement released on Friday, Bhutia expressed concerns over various critical issues affecting Sikkim, including the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), demographic changes, and the response to the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) disaster.

Bhutia said that Sikkim’s special status under Article 371F must be protected at all costs. He pointed out that while Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured in Parliament that CAA would not be applicable in Sikkim, he also stated that the Sikkim Legislative Assembly (SLA) needed to pass a resolution and send it to the central government to formalize this protection. "Till today, this has not been done. Who is responsible—the central government or our own state leaders?" Bhutia questioned.

Expressing deep concern over the growing demographic pressure in Sikkim, Bhutia highlighted that unchecked influx and rapid population changes could pose a serious threat to the state’s identity. "Sikkim is already overburdened, and if we do not act now, we risk losing control over our own land. This is not just a regional issue; it has national security implications due to Sikkim’s strategic location," he warned.

Bhutia also criticized the handling of last year’s Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), which caused significant damage across the state. He noted that despite the scale of the disaster, the affected people are still struggling, and no concrete measures have been implemented for long-term rehabilitation. Additionally, he raised concerns over the Teesta III Dam issue, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in discussions between the state government, private parties, and the central authorities.

Calling on the people of Sikkim to stay vigilant and informed, Bhutia warned against falling for short-term political distractions. "Some political forces are offering temporary freebies and materialistic gains, but what good is immediate benefit if our land, identity, and future are compromised?" he said.

Bhutia urged the Sikkimese population to demand answers from their leaders and to ensure that decisions affecting their future are not made behind closed doors. He reminded them of their responsibility to safeguard the state's unique identity, saying, "A clever politician spreads rumors, a wiser one believes none, but only a fool acts without knowing the truth."