An article in China’s state-run Global Times on Sunday threatening to support “separatist forces in Northeast” and “the resurrection of Sikkim” has prompted proponents of the Himalayan state’s special status under Article 371F of the Constitution to urge the Centre to resolve some of the pending political issues at the earliest to keep Beijing at bay.

Following growing bonhomie between India and Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, an article in the Global Times on Sunday warned: “If India plays the Taiwan card, it should be aware that China can also play the Indian separatist card… China has every reason to support separatist forces in Northeast Indian states such as Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam and Nagaland. China could even support the resurrection of Sikkim.’

Sikkim merged with India in 1975 but this was acknowledged by Beijing only in 2003.

Against this backdrop, IAM371F Campaign, an organisation that espouses the cause of special constitutional status enjoyed by Sikkim, has urged the Centre to resolve the political issues of Sikkim.

Passang Sherpa, coordinator, IAM371F Campaign, said fundamental to resolving the issues was to uphold the sanctity of both the May 8, 1973, agreement, which had been signed before the erstwhile kingdom’s merger with India on May 16, 1975, and Article 371F, which provides special status to Sikkim.

“The promises made under 8th May Agreement and Article 371F of the Constitution of India were misused and manipulated by New Delhi time and again,” said Sherpa.

According to him, there may be no takers in Sikkim for China’s separatist card, but the continued denial of the Sikkimese people’s political security by successive governments at the Centre was unfortunate as it gave Beijing the chance to raise the issue.

“Such insensitive approach of the Indian governments towards the Sikkimese people for the past 45 years could be the reason for emboldening foreign powers like China to rethink their strategy on Sikkim,” said Sherpa.

Under Article 371F, protection is provided to Sikkim to continue with old laws of the state before its merger with India and some of them have allegedly been diluted by the Centre over the years.

Sherpa listed some of the many alleged acts of omission and commission. They include the removal of the political rights of the majority Nepali-speaking Sikkimese people, the extension of Income Tax Act in Sikkim, the failure to grant Assembly quota for Limboos and Tamangs, who were declared Schedule Tribes in 2003. Until 1979, there were equal seat reservations of 15 seats each for Bhutia Lepcha (BL) and Nepali community. However, following subsequent amendments, there are no specific reservation for the Nepali community.

The Campaign proponents are also against implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act and one nation, one ration card scheme in Sikkim.

China is known to raise the Sikkim bogey every time there is tension with India. Both during the Doklam standoff in 2017 and the ongoing border tension, Global Times played to the non-existent secessionist sentiments in Sikkim.

Sherpa said in light of China’s sinister designs, New Delhi should be serious in resolving the various political issues of the past 45 years to enable the Sikkimese people to contribute towards national security, integrity and development. “Since the state government of Sikkim has become a mere stooge of the Central government, the ball now is in New Delhi’s court to resolve the issues.”