GANGTOK, May 26: Former minister and member of the Citizen Forum, Thukchuk Lachungpa, has condemned an article that has derogatory remarks about various communities of the State.
The offending article appeared in the May 11, 2007 edition of Shangrila Times, a Nepali daily published from Gangtok. The article, which carries a statement by Jagat Singhi, a businessman based in Gangtok and also a leader of the Sikkim unit of Bharitya Janta Party, has unflattering remarks about various ethnic communities from the State. Mr. Singhi has referred to all the Nepalese of Sikkim as “immigrants” and has also made other defamatatory, derogatory, and avoidable comments like “Sarnathi” or refugees on them.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Lachungpa strongly condemned the statement made by Mr. Singhi. Mr. Lachungpa said that “not only Mr. Singhi has insulted the Nepali community, he has also made references to other communities of Sikkim who have been living with peace and communal harmony for ages now.”
Stating that the statement of Mr. Singhi was highly “objectionable, malicious, mischievous and unnecessary” and had been carried out with “an intention of causing communal tension and disturb the communal harmony of the State.” “The statements are anti-national since Nepalese are recognized citizens of the country whose language has been included in the 8th schedule of the Constitution,” he said.
Mr. Singhi, in the article, has allegedly called all the Nepalese “immigrants” and has also said to have made similar remarks about the Bhutia community in the past. He goes on further to say that the “so-called immigrant leaders were harassing the original inhabitants of the country” referring to the plainsmen as the “original inhabitants.”
Mr. Lachungpa also condemned the article, which refers to the late Chogyal as “Phuchey Bhotey Raja.”
Apparently, these statements of Mr. Singhi have been recorded on a mobile phone by the editor of Shangrila Times.
The Citizen Forum has demanded a written apology from Mr. Singhi. “If he fails to do so we will take other legal and necessary actions,” Mr. Lachungpa said.
When contacted Jagat Singhi for his statement on the matter, he refused to make any comments on issue and switched off his mobile.
The offending article appeared in the May 11, 2007 edition of Shangrila Times, a Nepali daily published from Gangtok. The article, which carries a statement by Jagat Singhi, a businessman based in Gangtok and also a leader of the Sikkim unit of Bharitya Janta Party, has unflattering remarks about various ethnic communities from the State. Mr. Singhi has referred to all the Nepalese of Sikkim as “immigrants” and has also made other defamatatory, derogatory, and avoidable comments like “Sarnathi” or refugees on them.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Lachungpa strongly condemned the statement made by Mr. Singhi. Mr. Lachungpa said that “not only Mr. Singhi has insulted the Nepali community, he has also made references to other communities of Sikkim who have been living with peace and communal harmony for ages now.”
Stating that the statement of Mr. Singhi was highly “objectionable, malicious, mischievous and unnecessary” and had been carried out with “an intention of causing communal tension and disturb the communal harmony of the State.” “The statements are anti-national since Nepalese are recognized citizens of the country whose language has been included in the 8th schedule of the Constitution,” he said.
Mr. Singhi, in the article, has allegedly called all the Nepalese “immigrants” and has also said to have made similar remarks about the Bhutia community in the past. He goes on further to say that the “so-called immigrant leaders were harassing the original inhabitants of the country” referring to the plainsmen as the “original inhabitants.”
Mr. Lachungpa also condemned the article, which refers to the late Chogyal as “Phuchey Bhotey Raja.”
Apparently, these statements of Mr. Singhi have been recorded on a mobile phone by the editor of Shangrila Times.
The Citizen Forum has demanded a written apology from Mr. Singhi. “If he fails to do so we will take other legal and necessary actions,” Mr. Lachungpa said.
When contacted Jagat Singhi for his statement on the matter, he refused to make any comments on issue and switched off his mobile.
(sikkim express)
