International Journal of Research ISSN NO: 2236-6124

Sikkim’s Merger with

Dr. E. Beena Lenil Assistant Professor Department of History and Research Centre Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil – 629 001. Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli – 627 012, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract

Sikkim was under the supremacy of the Britishers till they obtained independence in 1947. The present day North-East Indian territory Sikkim established a Kingdom in 1962 when India and were under many princely states with many rulers. Sikkim is a very small state with very less number of local inhabitants. Sikkim was free from outside control, not subjects to another’s authority until it merged with India in 1975. This paper seeks to highlight how the merger of Sikkim with India played a major role in moulding the . Key words: Abolishment of Monarchy, Merger of Sikkim, Independence, North Eastern State. ------

INTRODUCTION

Yuksom in Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district was the first capital of Sikkim by Phuntsog Namgyal who was the first (temporal and religious king) of Sikkim. The dynastic rule of the continued for 33 years. Sikkim is a state in northeast India, bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal part of the Himalayas, that comprises India’s highest mountain, 8,586m Kangchenjuga. Sikkim is a property of glaciers, alphine meadows and thousands of varieties of wild flowers. In the 18th century the leading Sikkim sinks under British supremacy because the British Empire solicit to install trade routes with Tibet. Sikkim was under the supremacy of the Britishers till they obtained independence in 1947. The present day North-East Indian territory Sikkim established a Kingdom in 1962 when India and Nepal were under many princely states with many rulers. Sikkim is a very small state with very less number of local inhabitants. Sikkim was free from outside control, not subjects to another’s authority until it merged with India in 1975.

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On 14th April 1975 a plebiscite began to abolish monarchy and it was approved by 97.55% of voters. During the British colonial rule Sikkim had been a protectorate of India. After India’s independence this arrangement was continued through a treaty in 1950. According to this treaty India presumed authority for communications, defence foreign affairs as well as the territorial solidarity of Sikkim. Now autonomy in internal affairs given to Sikkim. Chogyal subdued the civil and political liberties of Sikkim, so the parliament signed the Act. The Sikkim Act prescribed responsible government and correspondence with India. With exertion Chogyal signed the constitution which was passed in the parliament in 4 July 1974. Again in 5 March 1975, Chogyal called for an plebiscite. Indian troops infiltrated Sikkim and surrounded the palace and put down the king under house- arrest. With the support of Indian Primeminister the Sikkimese parliament with one accord voted to abolish the monarchy on April 1975 and incorporated with India inorder to acquire full Indian statehood.

Standstill Agreement

The ruler of Sikkim thought that Nehru had disagree any move to amalgamate Sikkim with India. Tashi Tshering was the leader of Sikkim state congress. Along with two other political parties, Sikkim state Congress had a desire to possess democracy in Sikkim and adjunct to take notice by the government of India and they decided to support Chogyal. So the “Stand Still Agreement” was signed by Delhi with Sikkim on February 1948. By this treaty the existing administrative process for 11 subjects, including External Affairs and Defence would hold its office until a new treaty was signed in 1950.

In 1954 Tashi Tshering died and he was succeeded by Lhendup Dorji Kazi as head of the Sikkim state. Also Kazi was the first prime Minister of this Congress party. Kazi played a major role by summoning public opinion in Sikkim to put back Chogyal’s rule with democracy and demanded for the merger of Sikkim with India. In 1967, Chogyal demanded the revision of the treaty of 1950. The important objective of Chogyal was that Sikkim should have a footing almost identical like Bhutan. Kazi did not like to submit this demand before Nehru so he waited for Indira Gandhi to assume her Primeministership. He maintained good relationship with senior Indian officials, civil and military, who would publicly recommend his cause and now he asked the revision of the treaty. In 1967 he met the prime minister at Delhi. In the meantime, T.N. Kaul had been taken over the secretariship of East and having an obligation to do something for Sikkim. Later he became the foreign secretary of Sikkim.

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Kaul was compassionate towards Chogyal’s desire. The foreign secretary Kaul drafted a treaty in 1970 that rendered Sikkim a permanent Association. The draft came to an discussion at an inter-ministerial meeting nobody supported this draft but the Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw said that you do whatever you like.

The reason for keeping Research and Analysis wing (R and AW) office in Sikkim was to watch China’s move in Tibet and to reduce the powers of Cogyal. Chogyal did not like to merge Sikkim with India and he never like to undermine his power by anybody. G.B.S. Sidhu Spending much time over Sikkim. He was one of the key Indian officers involved in the merger of the princely state of Sikkim with the Indian Republic in 1975. It was in 1973 that G.B.S.Siddhu, a young official with the newly setup Research and Analysis wing (R & AW) took charge of the field office in in 1973. He helped the P.O’s in their special duties and had link with the OSD.

R.N.Kao can largely be credited for merging Sikkim into India in 1975 as its 22nd state. He was a spymaster and the first Chief of India’s external intelligence Agency (R & AW). Kao was one of India’s leading intelligence officers and assist to strengthen R & AW. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also invited Kao to Delhi to discuss about the merger. Then Kao instructed G.B.S. Siddhu that he should not share the intelligence relating to China and Tibet with the CEO because Chogyal might have taken the facts from some one who do not like the merger. During that time B.S. Das was the CEO. He was the Chief administrator also. He complained that he had not been received any informations from the intelligence department.

When the Mission started by G.B.S. Siddhu popular opposition mounted against Chogyal’s administration. Now B.S. Das take charge of Chief Administrator. Dewal Singh was the Sikh regiment. He was also an Indian diplomat, foreign secretary of India.. In 1973 Kewal Singh and Chogyal made preparations for the Legislative Assembly elections on the basis of Universal franchise and they decided to appoint a cabinet to look after the functions of the Legislative Assembly. The seven-point plan of action was prepared by G.B.S. Siddhu inconsultation with B.N. Banerjee. The objectives of the plan are to seclude the Chogyal, to strengthen the democratic forces and preparing pre-conditions regarding merger of Sikkim with India as claimed by the people of Sikkim. Finally the general election was held in April 1974. Kazi’s party got 31 seats out of the 32 seats in the election. The Legislative Assembly passed an resolution on May 1974 asking India to take steps for nourishing the Indo-Sikkim relationship and for Sikkim’s involvement in the political, social and economic institutions of

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India. On the whole, the Legislative Assembly whole heartedly liked the merger of Sikkim with India. But Chogyal opposed this and he said that Sikkim became a state of Association. So a Plebiscite was carried on in April 1975. This plebiscite manifested 97 percent support for the merger of Sikkim with India. Consequently in May 1975 after getting president’s consent the merger of Sikkim with India took place on 10 April 1975.

With the support of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, on 10 April 1975, the parliament of Sikkim unanimously voted to abolish the monarchy and amalgamation with India in order to get full Indian statehood. On 16 May, 1975 Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Republic. Now the Government of Sikkim also known as the state Government of Sikkim or state Government is the sovereign governing authority of the Indian State of Sikkim and its 4 districts. It consists of an executive, led by the Governor of Sikkim, a judiciary and a Legislative body. Like other states in India the head of the state of Sikkim is the Governor appointed by the president of India on the advice of the central government. Sikkimese are quite happy as Indians. They can enjoy all facilities throughout Indian mainland just like other Indians do. It is a state having one of the highest literacy rate and per capita income. So one thing is clear that they have become prosperous than before and living a happy life. The people of India are happy to be a part of India. The merger of Sikkim with India played a major role in moulding the history of Sikkim. The credit of merging with India goes to G.B.S. Sidhu and R.N. Kao. They paid much care upon the unification of Sikkim and tackle that in a intelligent manner. They sacrificed their lives for the welfare and unification of Sikkim with India. We can say that they are the backbones behind the merger, because of such a bold and strong personalities of our country the dependent Sikkim turned to be independent Sikkim.

References:

1. Lama, Mahendra (1994) Sikkim, Society, polity, Economy, Environment, . Indus publishing company pp.110-111. 2. Asia Year book 1976 3. Frontline Magazine March 15, 2019 edition

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