It paved the way for the definitive merger of the hitherto independent kingdom with the Indian Union, something that the majority of the signatories to the agreement had not thought. Secondly, it was the first milestone on the road to democracy that we have today within the framework of the Indian Union. There is no doubt that behind this agreement and the historic eruption of 1973 that preceded the agreement were the hands of external forces (Government of India and Indian intelligence services). At the same time, however, the dominant resentment of the population against the monarchy and its clique for oppression and exploitation, especially in rural areas of Sikkim, cannot be ignored. The majority of people were treated as second-class citizens. There was mistrust and enmity among the communities. All these factors paved the way for the 1973 revolt and the subsequent signing of the Triapatit Agreement. 8. May 1973 Agreement: This was an agreement reached by the Chogyal, the Indian government and the leaders of Sikkim`s political parties after a complete collapse of the legal and regulatory situation.
In Gangtok, after agitations for “a more democratic constitution” and “greater legislative and executive powers for the elected representatives of the people,” there had been serious outbreaks of violence. Both were provided for in the agreement. In addition, the Indian government has been “invited” to assume “responsibility” for law and order and to appoint a chief executive or chief of administration in Sikkim. Elections based on a one-man, one-vote vote were introduced. The Chief Executive of India had full administrative power. If there were any disagreements between him and the Chogyal, she should be “directed to the political officer of Sikkim to seek the opinion of the Indian government, which must be binding.” In 1895, the Chogyal was liberated, but british governors in India broke an agreement – the Ten Clauses Agreement – that restored Sikkim`s sovereignty. Sikkim`s political officer, John Claude White, refused to surrender any sovereignty and only let Chogyal retain Sikkim`s judicial power. Sikkim turned to India about any other state because of the Indo-Sikkimese Friendship Treaty of 1950.
Chogyal asked for help and the Indian government agreed. The result was the agreement reached on 8 May, when the democratic conduct of the elections was called. Anglo-Chinese Convention of 1890: Under this convention, agreed upon by mutual agreement between representatives of the British Crown and the Emperor of China, Sikkim would have been recognized as a protectorate of the British government. Neither Sikkim nor Tibet were consulted and were not parties to the agreement. The 8 May agreement was not just a document of history; it embodied and symbolized the hopes and aspirations of the people of Sikkim. On the basis of this agreement of 8 May 1973, elections were held from 15 to 19 April 1975 under the supervision of the Election Commission of India. In 1973, there was popular unrest in Sikkim, whose demand was a functioning democracy in Sikkim. The demand was self-government and a one-man,one-vote system, abolishing the parity system. The 4. In April, the unrest reached its peak and the popular movement led to the agreement of 8 May.
Subsequent political developments following the May 8 agreement led to the merger of Sikkim with India and the insertion of Article 371F, a reflection of the May 8 agreement, which aimed to protect the rights and interests of various populations. Sikkim has been an Indian state for 48 years, India must not forget the agreement. In India`s struggle for freedom, the Sikkimese people had helped. When Sikkim saw the same thing in 1949, it also brought democracy, but it was incomplete. India went beyond its friendly Indo-Sikkim treaty and signed the May 8 agreement in 1973. The Indian government must not forget Article 371F where and what it signed. Therefore, the political parties and leaders of Sikkim must understand that the remedy they are seeking is already contained in the provisions of the 8 agreement. May is included.
The Government of India has invoked the provisions of the 8 May Agreement on several occasions while addressing issues related to Sikkim, as it is fully aware of the importance and validity of the Agreement and its responsibility to protect the rights and interests of the people of Sikkim, as promised. It is up to us, the Sikkimese people, to realise that the agreement of 8 May is as alive as it was in 1973 and that all our political, social and economic security is well defined in it. We must work together to realize our rights as Sikkimese and create justice for our future generations. The agreement of 8 May has no reason to exist, there is no reason to celebrate because it is false. Has the agreement satisfied the demand of the population? There is no equality, the agreement affected 80% of the population of Sikkim. May 8 is a black day when India invaded the affairs of Sikkim, and people`s demands fell flat and they still remain so. Until there is equal rights for all people in Sikkim, especially in the context of Nepal`s majority community, this day will remain a black day. Under this agreement, it was agreed that the rights and interests of Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepcha origin as well as Nepalese origin, which include the Tsong and Scheduled Castes, are fully protected. The agreement was the first success of the democratic movement at the time. It was an agreement to be respected, and it was also the heart of the Sikkim-India merger that took place in 1975. This is the reason why Sikkim is the 22nd state of the Indian Union.
Since 8. Much time passed in May 1973, but the hopes and aspirations of the Sikkimese people implied by the agreement have not yet been realized. .