Filing of revision petitions not enough: PD Rai

GANGTOK,: Opposition SDF has welcomed the assurances given by Union Home minister Amit Shah and Union Law minister Kiren Rijiju on the question of removing the references to the Sikkimese Nepalis as ‘foreigners’ and immigrants in the recent Supreme Court Judgement through due process.

“However, in the first place the Supreme Court judgement is a product of the submissions, pleadings and documents placed before the Supreme Court by the officers of the respondents taking authorisation from the competent authority. Therefore, making the writ filed and relied upon by the AG Sikkim and his team in this case is of utmost importance. It must be made public,” said former MP and SDF senior vice president PD Rai in a Monday press statement.

“We are of the opinion that the serious mistakes done by the PS Golay government cannot be condoned and they have to resign on account of this. That is the accountability fixing that we are calling for. No amount of drama being played out in the State by the government can be a panacea,” stated Rai.

“The issues are clear. One is of the ‘foreigner’ tag on Sikkimese Nepali and the other is the complete redefinition of who is ‘Sikkimese’ and further dilution of Article 371F. The latter does not seem to have been addressed thus far even though it concerns all Sikkimese. It is amazing to see the SKM government becoming hyper active post the judgement just to cover up their serious lapses as clearly visible now,” said the former MP.