{"id":341,"date":"2014-05-16T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-05-16T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/on-this-day\/16-may-1975-sikkim-was-annexed-into-india\/"},"modified":"2014-05-16T10:30:00","modified_gmt":"2014-05-16T10:30:00","slug":"16-may-1975-sikkim-was-annexed-into-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/on-this-day\/16-may-1975-sikkim-was-annexed-into-india","title":{"rendered":"16 May 1975: Sikkim was annexed into India"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThere is a sacred veil to be thrown over the beginnings of all government.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

~ quoted in an article about Sunanda Datta-Ray\u2019s book <\/span><\/span><\/span>Smash & Grab: Annexation of Sikkim<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>, in the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Business Standard<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span> magazine.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Originally quoted by Edmund Burke on the trial of Warren Hastings, this quotation brings forth a harsh reality about the documented history of a nation. The same holds true when a particular land or \u2018kingdom\u2019 is annexed. Sikkim\u2019s annexation is believed to be a turning point in the history of the tiny Himalayan state, as well as of India. 16 May 1975, is considered as the official date of annexation of Sikkim to India. Although, the process started way early, and there were several internal and external factors that decided Sikkim\u2019s history to be one with that of the Indian nation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

During the British rule in India, the kingdom of Sikkim enjoyed a \u2018sovereign\u2019 status with \u201cBritish protectorate\u201d against the neighbouring Nepal and China. This \u2018subordinate alliance\u2019 with the British was carried on by the newly formed Indian government after 1947. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, signed an agreement with Sikkim’s ruler, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, after conducting a poll in the kingdom asking for public opinion about Sikkim\u2019s relation with India. According to the agreement, Sikkim was to be treated as a \u201ctributary of India,\u201d in which India would manage its foreign affairs, communication and defense, while it remained an independent monarchy. This arrangement worked well, until the Indo-China War in 1962.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Indo-China War, Indira Gandhi, and the new Chogyal<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

India\u2019s stance regarding Sikkim started to change after the Indo-China war in 1962. The Nathula Pass between Tibet and Sikkim, became a temporary battleground between the Indian and Chinese military troops. This prompted the complete shut-down of the Nathula Pass as soon as the war ended. Events that occurred in the Nathula Pass generated a sense of fear among the Indian government. They considered Sikkim to be a security problem.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After Jawaharlal Nehru\u2019s death, his daughter Indira Gandhi came to power. The fear of Sikkim being a \u2018weak link\u2019 was already set in her mind. Along with this, in Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal ascended the throne and became the new Chogyal (king) after his father, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal\u2019s demise due to cancer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In 1972, India suggested modifying Sikkim\u2019s position from \u201cspecial protectorate\u201d to \u201cpermanent association.\u201d The new Chogyal suggested Sikkim to have \u201cfull sovereign rights [entering] into a permanent association.\u201d Historians believe this was the beginning of India\u2019s covert efforts to annex the \u201ctiny Himalayan kingdom.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Elections and Subsequent Changes in Sikkim\u2019s Administration<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the changes in both the governments, a change in the public\u2019s mindset was noticed. Even though, there was a section of the society in Sikkim who wanted the kingdom to be a part of the Indian democracy since 1947, it was during Chogyal Palden\u2019s accession that the sentiments became more prominent. According to historians, this prominence was mainly due to Sikkim\u2019s complicated electoral processes started by Tashi Namgyal. The electoral system for the selection of the council of ministers was such that the Nepalis living in Sikkim, who actually represented 75% of the population, were recognised to have only 25% weightage in context with the voting rights of the kingdom. It was called the \u201cParity Formulae.\u201d During Palden\u2019s time, this Parity Formulae became even more intricate, and this increased the Chogyal\u2019s unpopularity among his subjects.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In 1960, the Sikkim National Congress Party was formed by Kazi Lhendup Dorjee, who wished to use a \u201cnon-communal party\u201d approach to \u201cgive the Sikkimese peace, prosperity and progress.\u201d This party had more Nepalese members.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

During the 1973 General Election of Sikkim, there was unrest among the public due to unsatisfactory election results. The Chogyal asked help from Indian troops to control the riots in Gangtok. According to a section of historians, the unrest was instigated by the Indian government to weaken the kingdom\u2019s machinery. Eventually, the Chogyal had to concede to have an administrator from India to control the affairs of the kingdom. The subsequent election next year, made Lhendup Dorjee the Prime Minister by a huge majority. He played a key role in merging Sikkim with India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

End of Monarchy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Between 1973 and 1975, the \u201canti-monarchical voice\u201d became stronger not only in Sikkim but even internationally, courtesy Lhendup Dorjee\u2019s wife, journalist Elisha Marie. Owing to protests and demonstrations, the anti-Chogyal government led by Lhendup Dorjee, sought India for a \u2018deeper\u2019 democratic association. India, who was ready for the new association, rushed into organising a referendum to \u2018absorb\u2019 Sikkim. This referendum found about 97.5% supporters, who were eager to end the monarchical administration. Thereafter, the Chogyal dynasty was abolished and Sikkim became the 22nd\u00a0<\/sup>state of India with complete democratic rights and privileges. Kazi Lhendup Dorjee became the first Chief Minister of the newly formed Himalayan state of India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In conclusion, historians believe that even though \u201cSikkim lost its identity as a tiny Himalayan Kingdom,\u201d the people finally got their \u201cdemocratic rights,\u201d for which they fought for so long.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Also on this day:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1931 \u2013 K Natwar Singh, former Minister of External Affairs for India, was born<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

References:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n