Sikkim CM thanks Supreme Court for removing 'foreigner' reference on Sikkimese Nepali community

Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay)has thanked the Supreme Court of India for removing the ‘foreigner’ reference on the Sikkimese Nepali community in its January 13 verdict.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday removed the observations in its judgment which described Sikkimese-Nepali persons as "people of foreign origin.”

This remark made in the judgment passed in the case Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim vs Union of India had sparked widespread discontentment among the Sikkimese Nepali community. A 12-hour bandh was also observed in Sikkim on Wednesday to register the people’s protest against such objectionable remarks.


This is to thank and express our gratitude to the Supreme Court of India for their understanding of the sentiments of the people of Sikkim and for resolving the matter instantly, posted the Chief Minister Wednesday after the hearing concluded on the review petition in the apex court.

In his post, the Chief Minister shared that the apex court deleted all the references to Nepali of Sikkimese origin as foreigners and/or migrants in its January 13 judgment.

“It also clarified that the Judgment did not touch upon Article 371F of the Constitution of India which grants special status to Sikkim. This will be a historic achievement for Sikkim,” said the Chief Minister.

We are obliged to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose visionary leadership, Union Home minister Amit Shah held our hand, expressed solidarity, and supported us, added Golay. He also thanked Union Law minister Kiren Rijiju for his unflinching support to every cause of Sikkim.

The Chief Minister further thanked senior advocate and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, senior advocate C. S. Vaidyanathan, senior advocate and addl. Advocate General of Sikkim Dr. Doma Tsering Bhutia. Standing counsels of Sikkim worked hard to prepare, present, and argue the matter in the best possible manner before the Lordships and convinced them, he mentioned.

“The government of Sikkim has taken up the matter with all due seriousness from day one. We believe in working silently without hullabaloo. Being a responsible government, we never joined the race for one-upmanship for scoring brownie points and earning political mileage on this sensitive issue. We concentrated only on the quality of the petition instead of trying to be the first and giving interviews.”

“I have all along appealed for patience regarding the outcome. I thank each and every Sikkimese for having believed that I am doing my best. Your immense support, love, affection, faith, and trust are my strength which always motivates me to work day and night for you all,” said the Chief Minister.