The story of Sikkim from the time of India’s independence to its merger with India is asfollows:
(i) At the time of independence, Sikkim was a protectorate of India. It meant that while itwas not a part of India, it was also not a fully sovereign country.
(ii) Sikkim’s monarch was Chogyal who was unable to deal with the democratic aspirations of the people.
(iii) The Chogyal was seen as perpetuating the rule of a small elite from the minority Lepcha, Bhutia community. The anti-Chogyal leaders of both communities sought and got support from the Government of India.
(iv) The first assembly of Sikkim which was elected in 1974 was swept by Sikkim Congress and it sought the status of associate state and in April 1975 passed a resolution asking for full integration with India. After an organised referendum, Sikkim became the 22nd State of the Indian Union.
