The man who ushered democracy in Sikkim

KAZI LHENDUP DORJI KHANGSARPA who is the forerunner of demo­cratic movement in Sikkim was recently honoured by the Gov­ernment of India by conferring upon him the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of the country.

Born in Pakyong, East Sikkim in the ancient and noble Khangsarpa family in the year 1904. Kazi Lhendup Dorj i Khangsarpa entered the Rumtek monastery at the age of 6 years. His uncle, Tshurfuk Lama Rabden Dorji was the then Head Lama of the said monastery and Lhendup became his disciple.

Sidkyong Namgyal then Maharaja of Sikkim,  Khangsarpa, who is conferred with the Padma Vibhusan this year.while visiting the monastery took a great liking to the young monk Lhendup and took him to Gangtok, whe placed him in a Tibetan School. At the age of 16, Kazi Lhendup returned to Rumtek monastery and under strict training for priesthood for two years. Thereafter, on completion of his training he succeeded as the I Lama ofRumtek monastery and its estates on the retirement of Lama U gen Tenzing. Kazi Lhendup remain

Head Lama in Rumtek monastery for 8 years, and then left the monastery to work with his brother the late Phag Tshering, who founded the young Mens Buddhist Association at Dmjeeling. The two brothers foum large number of schools in West Sikkim and were instrumental in bringing about a number of social and ( reforms.In 1945, Kazi Lhendup Dorji started the Sikkim Praja Mandal and was elected its first President. In 195 became President ofSikkim State Congress and held that post till 1958. During his Presidentship ofthe Sit State Congress, he led a delegation to Delhi in 1954 to call on the Prime Minister ofIndia, Pandit Jawah Nehru. The Sikkimese had been fighting for political and economic reforms and these were discussed b~ delegation with Pandit Nehru, who was deeply impressed by their sincerity particularly that of Kazi LheI Dorji.The Prime Minister promised to give assistance for the progress and economic welfare of the Sikkim people and assured Government ofIndia's support towards political reform in Sikkim. At that time, there 1 two main political parties in Sikkim namely Sikkim State Congress and the National Party and the political approa of these parties were different and bordering on communal sympathies. Kazi Lhendup Dorji realising the fu1 of the communal approach in the political scene of Sikkim, and having dear to his heart the welfare of al people, decided to form another party, called the Sikkim National Congress, in 1962. His main approach was

rm a non-communal party which could give to the people of Sikkim peace, prosperity and progress. The trmation of this party gave a new direction to the political life in Sikkim. Fighting on this platform, his party tcured 8 seats out of 18 in the 3rd general elections ofSikkim. This was by no means a minor achievement in [ew of the earlier political influences which were diverting their energies towards a communal end. Kazi bendup Dorji formed the opposition in the Sikkim Council and tried to bring about a feeling of communal harmony.

In the 4th general elections held in 1970, Kazi Lhendup Dorji was appointed as an Executive Councillor and allotted the portfolio of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Transport Authority. He, realising that im is an agricultural country, tried to bring about certain reforms to ameliorate the economic conditions of the         iculturists. He was however relieved of his Executive Councillorship in 1972 and, thereafter, he and his

:lgian born wife Elisa Maria left for a tour of Europe. On their return, he set about to fight the elections; which as held in 1973. The events which occurred thereafter are known to our readers and we need not go into the

~atter. Suffice it to say that the results of the elections of 1973 did not satisfy the Sikkim National Congress who

t that they had not been conducted in a fair manner. This led to an agitation in April 1973 which ultimately suited in the merger of the Sikkim Janata Congress and the Sikkim National Congress. The United Party

subsequently obtained an overwhelming majority in the general election by securing 31 out of 32 seats. Tb.is gave a massive mandate to Kazi Lhendup Dorji to form a new Government. On the 4th July 1974, Sikkim entered a new phase in its political development, with the Government ofSikkim Act of 1974 -" I coming into being. Arising out of that, July 23, 1974 became

elected Government was sworn in at the Palace by the Chogyal and a Council of Ministers was formed under the :wardship of Kazi Lhendup Dorji whose Sikkim Congress Party got 31 out of32 seats in the elections held in )rilI974. The remaining one seat was bagged by the National Party candidate, Mr. Kalzang Gyatso. The

Sikkim Assembly elected Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa as its leader and it was, therefore, natural that the responsibilities of the Chief Minister should ultimately fall on his shoulders. He was duly appointed as the Chief Minister of Sikkim on this historic day.

The Sikkim Congress delegates used to attend the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress. After ining the mainstream of national life in 1975, there was no sense for the Sikkim State Congress to remain ltside the fold ofIndian National Congress. Keeping in view the aspirations of the people and all round progress

Sikkim State, the decision to merge the Sikkim Congress with the Indian National Congress was taken atChandigarh(KAMAGATAMARU NAGAR). Thus Sikkim emerged as 22nd State of India and the Sikkim Congress became an integralpart ofthe Indian National Congress and member of the great Indian family.

Kazi Lhendup Dorji is a venerable and respected leader ofthe Sikkimese people and has given the best part his life to the service of the people. Selfless and unassuming as he is, he is a man offew words and believes in working silently.