Lal Bahadur Basnett and Section 124-(A) of Indian Penal Code

Late Lal Bahadur Basnet was born on 17^th December 1926 at Nazitam, Sang in East Sikkim. Born to Lieutenant (Honorary) Prem Bahadur Basnett and Narbada Devi, Lal Bahadur Basnett is an enigmatic personality of Sikkimese politics. At the age of 4, Late Basnett, along with his parents, left Sikkim for Dehradun (then United Provinces now the Capital of Uttarakhand) and returned to his native land only after 15 years. He got his basic education at Dehradun and went to Ludhiana and admitted to Punjab University for his graduation. After accomplishing his Graduation, in 1945, he went to United Services Pre-Cadet College Belgaum.  He was court-martial from the Army due to his direct and open letter to a High ranking Army Officer. In his letter he stated about “the dissatisfaction prevailing in 2/5 Gurkha Rifles”, which was not engrossed by other high ranking Officers. He was sent for a rigorous three months imprisonment but, later released after spending one and a half months in the jail. After resigning from the Indian Army, he went to Pokhara (Nepal) and served as a school teacher.

He sat for the Sikkim’s first Civil Service Competitive Examinations and qualified the same and was appointed as a Magistrate in 1961. However, within a short period he resigned from the bureaucracy and joined Sikkim National Congress, a political party headed by L.D Kazi and was entrusted with the charge of Joint Secretary. His ideas of democracy and egalitarianism could not stop there.

In 1966, he published series of three articles on the topic of Democracy in Sikkim (Sikkim ma Prajatantra) which ultimately led to the portrayal of Late Basnett as an anti-national. On 10^th September 1966, the Joint Secretary of Sikkim National Congress was arrested on a non-bail able warrant for having committed offences of sedition under section 124A of the Indian Penal Code.[i] According to Basnett:

“The arrest had been occasioned by a series of three articles entitled “Democracy in Sikkim”, published in NOW, a Calcutta Weekly, and a letter written to the Editor, “Hindustan Standard” a Calcutta Daily, on the sensitive subject of Sikkim’s National Anthem”[ii].

           According to the reports of Kanchenjunga:

“It has come to know that Mr. Basnett had in certain journals and newspaper in Calcutta written articles which have been said to be against the interest of Sikkim. He was arrested under Indian Penal Code Section 124A on the charges of Rajdroha”[iii].

It appears that the accused and the General Secretary of Sikkim National Congress had written nothing sensational against the National Anthem of the Kingdom. He had simply tried to draw the attention of the Indian intelligentsia regarding the existing political situation of the Kingdom. An extract of his article is reproduced here:

“Now, the ruling house- the Sikkim Durbar- had no intentions to part with its powers and prerogatives which a democratic government would necessarily entail. It restored to the time honoured political weapon of divide and rule....The Sikkim Durbar assiduously applied itself to sowing the seeds of discord among the three communities by playing up the probability of the tyranny of the majority over the minority communities”[iv].

In another issue, he continued to criticize the Sikkim Durbar for waiting for an opportunity to impose absolutism in the Kingdom. Mr. Basnett wrote:

“The Sikkim Durbar has almost reached the point where its absolute rule has become a glaring fact....So, with absolutism in the saddle, Sikkim continues on the dizzy path of eventual chaos”[v].

The only matter that the Durbar had to criticize the writings mentioned above was about the existence of absolutism in the Kingdom, which could be refuted in a usual manner by placing the example of the Executive Council of 1958. However, the arrest of Mr. Basnett gives a clear sketch that how  Sikkim Durbar was working on the “democratization” of the country where a single word against the palace was considered as an act of insubordination.

The lone News based journal Kanchenjunga published the event in the news story with the title ‘National Congress Secretary Arrested’ that too was in an equidistant manner between the democratic and autocratic juxtaposition. It writes

“....it would be enough to say that in the history of Sikkim, this is the first case relating to Section 124(A) or treason”[vi].

After spending 48 hours in the police custody, Mr. Basnett was taken before the Chief Magistrate on 12^th September 1966, and he was released on bail of Rs 100,000.[vii] On 10^th April 1967, after the results of Third General Elections Mr. Basnett was acquitted from the charge of treason.

Due to his deviating political views with L.D Kazi he resigned from the Sikkim National Congress and founded Sikkim Janata Party. Though, the party had never been active in the political sphere of Sikkim but, the demands made by Late Basnett and his party cannot be disregarded. After his victory in the election of 1979, he was elected as the Deputy Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

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[i] Basnett, Lal Bahadur,  (1974) Sikkim A short political history, p 129
[ii] ibid
[iii] Kanchenjunga Vol.6, No.2-3-4, 15^th September 1966 pp36, 48/49
[iv] Basnett, Lal Bahadur, ‘Democracy in Sikkim’(Part I) Now, 29^th April 1966, Calcutta,p10
[v] Basnett, Lal Bahadur, ‘Democracy in Sikkim’(Part I) Now, 20^th May 1966, Calcutta,p9
[vi] Kanchenjunga Vol.6, No.2-3-4, 15^th September 1966 pp36, 48/49
[vii] Basnett (1974) op cit p130

The political void of early 60’s and letter of Late Kazini Eliza Maria to Late Brihaspati Parsai

The early 60’s of the last century can be considered as the concluding segment of the tug of war that was prevalent between the political parties of Sikkim and the Sikkim Durbar. It can be articulated that, the period had accurately witnessed “King can do no wrong” as far as the Sikkimese administration was concerned. The Executive Councillors had served for seven years without any break. However, as per the provision, there had to be an election in 1962; but, was postponed for an indefinite period due to the “Chinese encroachments”. From the study it appears that, there was no political party except the Sikkim National Congress of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee which repeatedly clamoured for the political reforms. The political situation of the erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom was thence standing on the edge which is evident from the reports of Kanchenjunga. The monthly Nepali news based journal states:

“…The Chogyal had in accordance to the advice rendered by different political parties, said that political reforms will be carried out or else like 1958’s law of election will be conducted....while looking at the demands of the political parties, all the parties are unanimous in one matter of election which was to be conducted in 1961 and was not be postponed further.....but, when it comes to the formation of the Council, rules regulating election, administration etc., the parties are not unanimous. If the ruler and the different parties do not listen to each other this critical situation will definitely harm the multi-faceted progress of the country” [i]

Though, Kanchenjunga [ii] blamed Sikkim National Congress along with other political parties for maintaining silence against the introduction of reservation on the basis of caste and race, it appears that, the Sikkim National Congress had made some clatters. But, as usual their opposition went unheard as the other two parties namely Sikkim National Party and Sikkim State Congress remained hushed and muted and were busy in proving them as  good and obedient parties to the Durbar.

The photograph attached with this post is a letter from Kazini Eliza Maria of Chakhung to late Mr. Brihaspati Parsai of Namli village East Sikkim. The latter was one of the founding members of Sikkim State Congress founded in December 1947 with a purpose of liquidating feudalism from the very root of Sikkim. It is evident from the letter that late Brihaspati Parsai had invited the Kazi couple for the marriage of their son to his residence at Namli village. However, the Kazini was unable to make her presence with her husband due to ‘ridiculous attitude of Sikkim Durbar’. It is interesting to note that the letter was dispatched from Chakhung House Kalimpong; the unofficial headquarter of Sikkim National Congress. It indicates that the entry of the Kazi couple to Sikkim was banned at that juncture for some unknown reasons and she is hopeful to meet her relations in Sikkim after the riddance of “nonsense”.  

I am quite sure that the Kazi couple was not allowed in getting into Sikkim after the publication of Bulletin No.2 of 26^th January 1972 through which the Sikkim National Congress had a mocking criticism against the Chogyal and the Sikkimese administration. A line published in Bulletin No.2 of the Sikkim National Congress says:

“It should always be borne in mind that there can be no King without people, but conversely there are many countries today which have people without Kings”.[iii]

 

Document acquired from Mr. N.B. Parsai of Namin village East Sikkim

The line quoted above from Bulletin No. 2 was more than adequate to get exiled in a monarchical set up. However, it materializes that the earlier banishment, indicated in this letter was certainly for raising the voices of the majority, where the Kazi probably was reluctant to accept the Durbar diversion of “divide and rule”. Probably he could sniff the tang of prejudice in the approaches of the palace and remained unbending with his democratic ethos and in all probabilities his democratic values were responsible for ‘ridiculous attitude of Sikkim Durbar’.

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[i] Kanchenjunga, Vol.6 No.26 15^th November 1965 Editorial page of the Journal

[ii] Kanchenjunga  Vol.6, No.9 15^th January 1966 pp120-121

[iii] Kazi, L.D. ‘Sikkim at the Crossroads’, (A Party Bulletin) Published by Sikkim National Congress, Bulletin No.2/1972, 26^th January 1972, Gangtok p2

Old Pamphlet of Sikkim Congress (R)

Name of the Publisher on the back cover page 

Pic Voice of Sikkim 

Contents inside the Document 

The Cover of the Pamphlet 

This is a booklet circulated by Sikkim Congress (R) in the 80’s against the case filed by the State Government of Sikkim and Government of India against its President Shree Ram Chandra Poudyal.  This document contains 44 pages and is written in Nepali, the lingua-franca of Sikkim. It titles  “R.C Poudyal viruddha Bharat Sarkar tatha Sikkim Sarkar- Sikkim Uccha Nyayalayama Hamro Muddha (The Indian and Sikkim Governments against R.C Poudyal- Our case at the Sikkim High Court). It deals with the protection and right implementation of Article 375 (f) of the Indian Constitution, which basically deals with the security of Old Sikkim Laws and Conventions. The booklet was published by Ram Lepcha, General Secretary of Sikkim Congress (R) and was printed at Vijay Printers, Tibet Road, Gangtok. The cost of this booklet was Rs 1. 

Late Lal Bahadur Basnet: An unforgettable figure of Sikkimese Politics

Lal Bahadur Basnet was born on 17^th December 1926 at Nazitam, Sang in East Sikkim. Born to Lieutenant (Honorary) Prem Bahadur Basnett and Narbada Devi, Lal Bahadur Basnett is an enigmatic personality of Sikkimese politics. At the age of 4, Late Basnett, along with his parents, left Sikkim for Dehradun (then United Provinces now the Capital of Uttarakhand) and returned to his native land only after 15 years. He got his basic education at Dehradun and went to Ludhiana and admitted to Punjab University for his graduation. After accomplishing his Graduation, in 1945, he went to United Services Pre-Cadet College Belgaum.  He was court-martial from the Army due to his direct and open letter to a High ranking Army Officer. In his Letter he stated about “the dissatisfaction prevailing in 2/5 Ghurkha Rifles”, which was not engrossed by other high ranking Officers. He was sent for a rigorous three months imprisonment but, later released after spending one and a half months in the jail. After resigning from the Indian Army, he went to Pokhara (Nepal) and served as a school teacher.

He sat for the Sikkim’s first Civil Service Competitive Examinations and qualified the same by scoring more than 80% marks in both written and viva examination and was appointed as a Magistrate in 1961. His ideas of egalitarianism could not match with the monocracy. For him, the Sikkim Monarchy was standing on the fundamental principle of theocracy and chauvinism. In order to show his resentment against such system of Sikkim, Late Basnett resigned from his job and again went to Nepal. There too he sat for another competitive examination, which he cleared with a first position and got his job as Assistant Editor for a semi government English Bi-weekly “The Nepalese Perspectives”. Due to his immense faith on radicalism, which was visible in his writings, Late Basnett came under the direct surveillance of Nepali Monarchy and was put behind the bars for nearly 11 months. His days as a prisoner in the Nepali Jail paved the way for the writing of his famous novel “His Majesty’s Paying Guest” (Shree Panch ko Pahuna).

After getting expelled from Nepal Late Basnett came back to Sikkim and joined Sikkim National Congress, a political party headed by L.D Kazi. Very soon he was appointed as Joint Secretary of the Party and became an important element and was begun to be regarded as a “Think Tank” of the Sikkim National Congress Party. His ideas of democracy and egalitarianism could not stop there. In 1966, he published series of three articles on the topic of Democracy in Sikkim (Sikkim ma Prajatantra) which ultimately led to the portrayal of Late Basnett as an anti-national. He was sent to prison for using satirical and sardonic languages against the Sikkim Monarchy. Later he was granted a bail of Rs. 1 Lakh but, within a few days he was again sent to jail on the same alleged reason.  It was due to his endeavour the Sikkim National Congress had been able to win 10 out of 18 seats in the General Election of 1967. The sole credit of the victory goes to late Basnett for his political stalwartness.

Due to his deviating political views with L.D Kazi he resigned from the Sikkim National Congress and founded Sikkim Janata Party. Though, the party had never been active in the political sphere of Sikkim but, the demands made by Late Basnett and his party cannot be disregarded. After his victory in the election of 1979, he was elected as the Deputy Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Late Basnett as a Sportsman: During his youths he used to be a skilled sportsman. He participated at the National Boxing Championship in 1944 held at Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium) and became the first Sikkimese to become a participant in a national sports event. He was also a Captain of the Western Command Football Team in the Durand Cup in 1953. He is arguably the first Sikkimese football player to play at the National level.  

Late Basnett as a Writer: A part from a political figure, Late Basnett was a prolific writer as well. He has written many books which include Sikkim- A Short Political History (1974), His Majesty’s Paying Guest (1982), a collection of Nepali short stories Dharma Chada (1983) and The Ghurkhas of India are of importance. He has also written Rape of Sikkim a controversial book about the annexation of Sikkim by India. He wanted to publish it from India; therefore he replaced the word Rape with Merger. But, most unfortunately the Indian army seized his manuscripts at Bagdogra airport on his way to New Delhi in May 1978. Thus, this book of him remained unpublished.

Late Basnett as a Journalist: His writing habits did not allow him to sit ideal, after leaving the Editorship of “The Nepalese Perspectives” he made his tie-ups with Himalayan Observers an English Newspaper published from Kalimpong from 1967. He was also a founding editor of this Newspaper. His articles were published in many reputed newspapers of India like Blitz, Current, Himmat, Now and Surya. One of his short stories was also broadcast by BBC London in 1975 and the same story was published by a journal Imprint in 1976.

Due to lack of other relevant sources I am unable to mark the later part of his life. His other achievements will be updated as I will get further information. This article is written on the basis of an Appeal published by Sikkim Gorkha League Party for the Election of 1984. 

Old Election Manifestos of Sikkim

Election Manifesto of Sikkim Gorkha League for the Election of 24th December 1984

Continuation of the same

Appeal to the voters by Sikkim Gorkha League Party 

Election Symbol of Sikkim Gorkha League Party

Election Pamphlet of Sikkim United Independent Front for 1974 Election  

Further information about these two political stalwarts Late Lal Bahadur Basnett and Late Durga Prasad Rajalim will be updated soon. 

B B Gurung- The Third Chief Minister of Sikkim (11th May 1984-24th May 1984)

Mr. B B Gurung, the third Chief Minister of Sikkim was born on 11^th October 1929 at Chakhung village in West Sikkim. After accomplishing his Graduation from Calcutta University, Mr. Gurung worked as a teacher at Turnbull School Darjeeling for a short period.  He then returned to Sikkim and continued the same profession as a teacher and worked at Rangpo High School. After few years he left the job of teacher and worked as a Staff Reporter for Amrita Bazar Patrika a Calcutta based newspaper. He has also edited Kanchenjunga the first news based Nepali journal of Sikkim.

He began his political career as a member of Sikkim State congress (founded in December 1947). Very soon he was given the charge of General Secretary of the Party. Later, he was elected as a Councilor from Chakhung Constituency. As a Councilor, Mr. Gurung was given the charge of Education, Forest and Transportation Department.

Mr. B.B Gurung pic. sikkimonlineinfo 

Mr. Gurung was the important figure of 1973 agitation in Sikkim. He was one of the signatories to sign the historic 8^th May Agreement which is also known as Tripartite Agreement. It has to be mentioned here, this agreement was signed between His Majesty the Chogyal of Sikkim, Leaders of various Political Parties of Sikkim and the Government of India. With the conclusion of this Agreement Sikkim witnessed its first ever Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy based on the Universal Democratic principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

In the election of 1973, which was held as per the terms made in the May 8^th Agreement, Mr. Gurung was elected as a member of the Sikkim Assembly as a candidate of Sikkim National Congress. In October 1977, he was appointed as the Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly which was then vacant due to the death of its First Speaker late Chatur Singh Rai.

Mr. B.B Gurung being sworn in as the Third Chief Minister of Sikkim on 11th May 1984

Mr. B.B. Gurung was an active figure in the politics of Sikkim during pre and post merger period. He was instrumental in making Sikkim an Associate State of India in 1974 and transforming independent Sikkim into 22nd state of Indian Union. In October 1979 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election Mr. Gurung was elected from two constituencies of Chakhung and Jorethang as a candidate of Sikkim Congress Revolutionary led by Mr. Ram Chandra Paudyal.

In May 1984, Mr. Nar Bahadur Bhandari’s government was dismissed by then Governor J.H. Taleyarkhan under Article (164) of the Indian Constitution. This paved a way to Mr. Gurung to become the next Chief Minister of Sikkim. He was sworn in as the third Chief Minister of Sikkim on 11^th of May 1984 and remained in power for 13 days. The then Governor of Sikkim J H Taleyarkhan recommended for imposition of President’s Rule in the State of Sikkim under Article 356 of the Constitution of India on 25^th of May 1984. Thus, the 13 days old Government headed by Mr. Gurung got dissolved owing to lack of support and instability. This veteran leader of Sikkimese political sphere is still active in the politics of Sikkim.  

Sikkim- Chirping inside the Past

Gangtok on 28th March 1973 crammed with pro and anti-merger group

Governor B.B Lal and L.D Kazi with the members of First Sikkim Legislative Council

Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi visiting Sikkim in 1984

Mr. N.B Bhandari being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sikkim

Mr. Bhandari with the members of Sikkim Legislative Assembly 

Funeral procession of Miwang Denzong Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal

Mr. B.B Gurung being sworn in as third Chief Minister of Sikkim

Mr. Sancha Man Limboo being sworn in as fourth Chief Minister of Sikkim