Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Professor Mahendra P. Lama moved to kill rumors about his Gorkhaland roadmap. He denied claims that his plan sought to annex any part of Sikkim. The academic issued a note on September 14, 2026, to clear the air. His July discussion paper, titled Road Map for a Permanent Political Solution: 4 Options/Pathways, ignited local anger.
The fourth option in the draft suggested including contiguous areas of neighboring states. This prompted the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee, led by Tseten Tashi Bhutia, to demand answers from Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. Critics worried the move threatened Sikkim. A map circulated online added fuel to the fire. Lama denied attaching any map to his July document.
He explained that the wording aimed at states like Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya. "By no stretch of imagination and strands of thought, we wanted to and would ever want to dismember and dislocate our very dear state of Sikkim," Lama wrote. He insisted his professional role in Sikkim remains distinct from his long-term Gorkhaland advocacy.
Lama confirmed the controversial fourth option never made it into the final document. He submitted his official proposal to the central government in August 2026 with only three paths. These include full statehood, Union Territory status, or an autonomous arrangement similar to the 1969 Meghalaya model. Lama also slammed the Citizens Action Party president for using the draft to score political points.
The dispute remains unresolved in some circles. SIBLAC continues to flag a separate September 7 memorandum regarding a proposed Article 371K for Darjeeling. The Sikkim government and legislative assembly have yet to issue an official resolution on the matter.
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