SIKKIM V

FOR

SIKKIMESEDistinct Identity Within The Union

Jigme N. Kazi

We shall hght: in the Assembly. We shall fight in the Parliament.We shall fight in the Court and in the Press. If need be, we shallfight in the fields and in the streets. Wherever we are, whatever wedo, we shall fight. We shall never surrender."

ligme N. Kazi, Sikkim Observer, lanuary 1989

101 wlW over ihiriy yeais .siiicc the controversial merger of the Formerkin<^dam with the hidiaii Union in 1975, the Sikkimese people have beenconstant ly demanding restoration of their political rights and preservationoi their distinct identity within the Union and witliin the framework oF

C.onstitmion of India. Iliey have adopted peaceftil, non-violent andclenKxraiic means to acliieve ilicir objectives. And yet New Delhi liasremained silent and unresponsive.

SIKKIM FOK SIKKIMESE: Distinct Identit)-Within Tlie Union isarecord ol jiyine N. Kazis own contribution iji ventilating and recording(K lopcs and aspiiations of the Sikkimese people - Lepchas, Bhiitias,Nepalese -and members oFthe other commimities, who have been living•nSikk.m for generations. The book is acollection oFhis work publishedm varioiis ptiblications, including the Sikkim Observer, which he edits,during his twenty five years as a journalist (1983-2008)

Btj^inning fiom 1983, Kazi has contributed to several local, regionaland national nexvspapers and journals - The Nation, Eastern Expr<!ss, TheCig)aphs. The Statesman, SunrJay, Nort/j-lSastSan, North East Daily, Caravannow /IZ/w), 7/;^ Independent (Kathmandu), and his own publications:

Observer, Bhoornipiitra, Himalayan Guardian,Hd People ,mi\ Common Cause. Kazi was the Sikkim Correspondent oF Vjcevgmph The Statesman, United News ofIndia (UNI),md Ue Independent.

also the author of Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide, ptiblished in