1975 Sikkimese monarchy referendum

A referendum on abolishing the monarchy was held in the Kingdom of Sikkim on 14 April 1975.[1] It was approved by 97.55% of voters, and resulted in the country becoming an Indian state.

Sikkimese monarchy referendum, 1975
Abolishing the monarchy
Location	Kingdom of Sikkim
Date	14 April 1975 (1975-04-14)
Results Votes % Yes 59,637 97.55% No 1,496 2.45% Valid votes 61,133 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 61,133 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 97,000 63.02%

Background

Sikkim had been a protectorate of India during the British colonial rule since the 19th century. The arrangement was continued after India's independence through a treaty in 1950, by which India assumed responsibility for communications, defence and foreign affairs, as well as the "territorial integrity" of Sikkim. Sikkim had autonomy in internal affairs.[2][3] The April 1974 general elections resulted in a victory for the India-friendly Sikkim National Congress.[1] The new government sought an increase in civil and political liberties, but was suppressed by the Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal.[4] In May it passed the Government of Sikkim Act, which provided for responsible government and furthering relations with India,[3] and on 4 July 1974 the Parliament adopted a new constitution that provided for the country becoming a state of India, which the Chogyal signed under pressure from India.[1]

On 4 September 1974, the Indian Lok Sabha voted in favour of making Sikkim an "associate" state, with the Rajya Sabha voting for an amendment on 8 September, giving it a status equal to that of other Indian states and absorbing it in the Indian Union.[5][6] On 8 September 1974 the Chogyal called for a free and fair referendum.[7]

On 5 March 1975 the National Congress repeated its calls for integration into India, whilst the Chogyal again called for a referendum.[1] On 9 April Indian troops entered the country, disarmed the palace guard (killing one of them and injuring four others)[8] and surrounded the palace,[9] putting the king under house-arrest.[10] On 10 April 1975 the Sikkimese Parliament with the support of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, unanimously voted to abolish the monarchy and merge with India in order to obtain full Indian statehood. A referendum on this issue was set for 14 April.[11]

Results

Choice	Votes	%
For	59,637	97.55
Against	1,496	2.45
Invalid/blank votes		–
Total	61,133	100
Registered voters/turnout	97,000	63
Source: Direct Democracy

The results of the plebiscite is questioned by Sunanda K. Datta-Ray who argued that "it took at least two days by jeep, the fastest mode of transport, to reach some of these inaccessible habitations, and it just would not have been physically possible to complete arrangements, hold the polls and count votes between 11 and 15 April."[12]

Supporters of the Chogyal maintain that 70 to 80% of voters were outsiders from India.[12]

Aftermath

After the declaration of the results, Sikkim's chief minister Kazi Lhendup Dorji cabled the results of the referendum to Indira Gandhi and asked her "to make an immediate response and accept the decision" to which she responded by saying that the Indian government would introduce a constitutional amendment in Parliament that would allow the kingdom to become part of India constitutionally.[13][14]

The Indian Parliament gave its final approval to the constitutional amendment making Sikkim a state on 26 April 1975.[15] On 15 May 1975 Indian President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed ratified a constitutional amendment that made Sikkim the 22nd state of India and abolished the position of the Chogyal.[16]

Reactions

China and Pakistan called the referendum a farce and a disguise for the forced annexation of the principality, to which Indira Gandhi replied by reminding them of their takeover of Tibet and the issue of Azad Kashmir, which she believed was Indian territory. The Chogyal called the referendum "illegal and unconstitutional".[17][18]

The U.S. government viewed the merging of Sikkim into India as a historic and practical inevitability, given the state's location on important trade routes. The Soviet Union responded positively, though with a muted response.[19] In 1978, Gandhi's successor, Prime Minister Morarji Desai, expressed regret and criticised the annexation of Sikkim, which along with increasing inflation led to violent protests against him by youth wing of Congress (I).[20]

References

1. Sikkim (India), 14 April 1975: Abolition of the monarchy Direct Democracy (in German)
2. Rose, Leo E. (Spring 1969), "India and Sikkim: Redefining the Relationship", Pacific Affairs, 42 (1): 32–46, JSTOR 2754861
3. Lama, Mahendra (1994). Sikkim: Society, Polity, Economy, Environment. New Delhi: Indus Publishing Company. pp. 110–111.
4. India International Republican Institute
5. Lawmakers Vote Sikkim Status of Indian State The Spokesman-Review, 5 September 1974
6. Sikkim Bill Ratified New Straits Times, 9 September 1974
7. Sikkim Leader Wants Appeal The Montreal Gazette, 9 September 1974
8. Asia Yearbook 1976
9. The World in 1975
10. Barun Roy (2012) Gorkhas and Gorkhaland, p250
11. Sikkim Referendum Slated on Indian Statehood The Lewiston Daily Sun, 11 April 1975
12. "Indian hegemonism drags Himalayan kingdom into oblivion". Nikkei Asian Review. Nikkei. 21 February 2016. Archived from the original on 3 April 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
13. India Slates State Status for Sikkim Toledo Blade, 17 April 1975
14. Sikkim Votes to End Monarchy, Merge With India The New York Times, 16 April 1975
15. Sikkim annexation OK'd Eugene Register-Guard, 27 April 1975
16. Sikkim Annexed, Now Indian State Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 16 May 1975
17. Sikkim Voters OK Merger With India Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 16 April 1975
18. Sikkim Votes On Indian Merger Daytona Beach Morning Journal, 15 April 1975
19. SIKKIM: AN HISTORIC PROCESS, BIG PROBLEMS REMAIN US Embassy, New Delhi
20. Use Tear Gas on Indian Mob Gettysburg Times, 20 March 1978