Organisations opposed to the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha pilloried the P.S. Tamang (Golay) government for appointing lawyer Sudesh Joshi as an additional advocate general.

Their grouse was that the majority Nepali community of the state had been referred to as migrants in a petition Joshi had appeared for in the Supreme Court. The petition had been filed by the Association of Old Settlers (AoOS) in 2013.

AoOS represents Indian-origin people who have been residents of the state since Sikkim was an independent kingdom prior to its merger with India in 1975.

“There are serious doubts about Joshi’s intention towards the majority Nepali-speaking community because of his past conducts. How can a person with a prejudiced view against a particular community be appointed as the state’s law officer? The government must give a public explanation,” said Passang Sherpa, the coordinator of IAM371F, a pressure group.

Nawin Pradhan, a lawyer and vice-convener of Sikkim Subject Committee, demanded the immediate cancellation of Joshi’s appointment.

Joshi said he was an advocate and not a petitioner in the case, and all references to the Nepali community that had been objected to were subsequently removed from the records of the Supreme Court.

Jacob Khaling, an SKM spokesman and political secretary to chief minister Tamang, didn’t take calls.

Joshi was made the additional advocate general in Sikkim High Court a few days ago.