Sikkimese women and the denials

Women in Sikkim are safer, happier and freer than in other parts of the country is an oft-heard statement. Such definition by comparison offers only a shallow interpretation of the status of Sikkimese women when the ground reality is much more complicated. Much like Article 35-A of Jammu & Kashmir that has now been repealed, antiquated laws continue to deprive Sikkimese women of their rights.

On January 27, 2015, the state Cabinet decided to make it mandatory for all married daughters of the old settlers [long-time residents who did not take Sikkimese citizenship when it was still a kingdom] of the state to furnish their own, their father’s and their husband’s residential certificates when applying for trade licences, contract works, driving licences and other benefits and services.

Less than a month later, on February 23, the Cabinet approved partial modification to Notification No. 66/Home/95 dated 22 November 1995 as amended pertaining to issue of Certificate of Identification and with it denied the provision of CoI to non-local women married to Sikkimese.