The decision of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly to recommend Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for 12 long-excluded indigenous communities has been welcomed by indigenous groups across the state, who described the move as a long-awaited step after decades of delay and uncertainty. The resolution was passed by the Assembly on December 12, approving and ratifying the final report of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee. The report recommends that 12 indigenous communities be included in the Scheduled Tribe list under the Constitution of India. With the Assembly’s approval now in place, the matter will move to the national level, where it will require parliamentary approval to become law.
Reacting to the decision, the Eleven Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sikkim plus one (EIECOS+1) said the resolution marked a turning point in a struggle that had remained unresolved for many years. Leaders of the platform said the Assembly’s decision had given clear direction to a demand that had often been discussed but never conclusively addressed. Speaking to the media, Mani Kumar Pradhan, General Secretary of EIECOS+1, said the group had come together to express unity and collective support for the 12 communities. He said many of these communities had remained outside the formal recognition system despite having distinct social, cultural and historical identities.
“Today we are here to support the 12 communities that have been separated from Sikkim and to work for their rightful place,” Pradhan said. “All our executive members, associations and community representatives are present here. Our chairman is also with us. We have gathered to support our people, our demands, and also the work that the government has done.” Leaders of the organisation said the Assembly’s resolution had finally provided a constitutional pathway to move the issue forward. According to them, the decision had created a strong foundation for engaging with Members of Parliament from Sikkim, the Northeast and other parts of the country to pursue the matter in Parliament.