Gangtok, Sikkim — The Sikkim government has established a new committee, the Sikkim State High Level Committee (SSHLC), tasked with evaluating the inclusion of 12 Sikkimese communities in India’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) list.
This decision, officially gazetted by the Social Welfare Department, sets a three-month timeline for the committee to submit a detailed report on the eligibility of these communities for ST status, which would afford them greater benefits and protections.
The communities under consideration include the Bhujel, Gurung, Jogi, Kirat Khambu Rai, Kirat Dewan (Yakha), Khas (Chettri-Bahun), Mangar, Newar, Sanyashi, Sunuwar (Mukhia), Thami, and Majhi. Each has a distinct socio-cultural and historical identity, and their inclusion in the ST list could strengthen support for their economic and cultural preservation within the unique regional context of Sikkim.
The SSHLC is led by Professor B.V. Sharma, Director of the Anthropological Survey of India, and includes distinguished scholars such as Professor Mahendra P. Lama from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Professor Virginius Xaxa, formerly of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. These experts, with backgrounds in anthropology, sociology, and regional development, are expected to conduct an in-depth ethnographic and anthropological study, gathering data on the communities’ socio-cultural practices, historical significance, and geographical influences to substantiate the need for ST designation.
According to the committee’s mandate, their report will cover three core aspects:
- Socio-economic Upliftment: Assessing how ST status could address existing disparities and enhance development opportunities for these communities.
- Cultural Preservation: Evaluating the need for cultural conservation as part of national heritage, recognizing the unique traditions and customs of each group.
- National and State Interests: Highlighting the strategic importance of Sikkim’s border regions, where many of these communities reside, and the potential role of ST recognition in strengthening local resilience and stability.
The SSHLC will submit its report to the Government of Sikkim, which plans to forward the official recommendations to the Government of India. If approved, the designation would integrate these communities more fully into India’s protective framework for Scheduled Tribes, enabling access to dedicated social welfare programs, educational benefits, and job opportunities, with the broader aim of safeguarding both cultural diversity and national interests in this sensitive border region of the Eastern Himalayas.
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