Gangtok: The All Sikkim Ishai Kami Damai Sharki Welfare Association (ASIKDSWA) has called for constitutional recognition, permanent safeguards, and equal rights for Christian members of the Kami, Damai, and Sharki communities in Sikkim. Despite being historically and socially recognized under these caste identities, Christian individuals from these groups remain excluded from Scheduled Caste benefits.
The exclusion stems from a Union Home Ministry notification dated July 6, 1978, which restricted Scheduled Caste status only to Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs. This order was extended to Sikkim on July 12, 1978, and continues to exclude Christian lower caste communities from recognition.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, ASIKDSWA Advisor Dev Kumar Biswakarma said the notification exposes a constitutional contradiction. “The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but when a Kami, Damai, or Sharki person embraces Christianity, they are stripped of their Scheduled Caste status. Our social condition remains unchanged—yet we are denied recognition,” he said.
He also highlighted that while lower caste Christians in other Indian states have been categorized as OBCs, no such provision exists for Sikkimese Christians, leaving them without any formal classification or protection.
In 2018, the state government provided 2% job reservation for the community under the “weaker sections” category, but the Association says this was a temporary relief and not a constitutional safeguard. “We have status without identity,” said ASIKDSWA President Purna Biswakarma. “We are barred from contesting panchayat elections, our employment cards have been stopped because caste certificates aren’t issued to us, and we have no political representation. This is clear discrimination.”
The Association emphasized the community’s long history in Sikkim, dating back to 1843 when Christian missionaries arrived with permission from the Chogyal. Churches were officially built by the 1930s. “What was given to us by the Chogyal cannot be taken away by a 1978 notification,” said members.
They also invoked Article 341 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the President (in consultation with the Governor) to define Scheduled Castes in each state. Parliament, under Article 341(2), has the authority to amend these lists. The Association pointed out that Buddhist Dalits were added to the list in 1990, establishing a precedent for inclusion.
ASIKDSWA said it is prepared to pursue legal remedies and approach the Supreme Court if needed. “We do not want temporary fixes. We want a permanent solution through the Assembly. We demand the state government to table a bill that grants us recognition, increases our reservation from 2% to 5%, and ensures our participation in panchayat and municipal elections,” they said.
According to the 2011 Census, there are over 40,000 Christian members from the Kami, Damai, and Sharki communities in Sikkim. The Association reiterated that the demand is not about religion, but about justice, equality, and recognition—and called for solidarity in achieving long-overdue constitutional rights.
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