Sikkimese monarchy referendum, 1975
| Sikkimese monarchy referendum, 1975 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abolishing the monarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Kingdom of Sikkim | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Date | 14 April 1975 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Yes
No
A referendum on abolishing the monarchy was held in Kingdom of Sikkim on 14 April 1975. It was approved by 97.55% of voters, and resulted in the country becoming an Indian state.
In 1950 Sikkim became a protectorate of India, but remained an independent country. The 1974 general elections resulted in a victory for the India-friendly Sikkim National Congress. The new government sought an increase in civil and political liberties, but was suppressed by the Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal. On 4 July 1974 the Parliament adopted a new constitution that provided for the country becoming a state of India, which the Chogyal signed under pressure from India.
On 4 September 1974, the Indian Lok Sabha voted in favour of making Sikkim an "associate" state, with the Rajya Sabha voting for an amendment on 8 September, giving it a status equal to that of other Indian states and absorbing it in the Indian Union. On 8 September 1974 the Chogyal called for a free and fair referendum.
On 5 March 1975 the National Congress repeated its calls for integration into India, whilst the Chogyal again called for a referendum. On 9 April Indian troops invaded the country and disarmed the palace guard while putting the king under house-arrest. According to Sunanda K. Datta-Ray, the Indian Army killed the guards and the palace was surrounded. On 10 April 1975 the Sikkimese Parliament with the support of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, unanimously voted to abolish the monarchy and merge with India in order to obtain full Indian statehood. A referendum on this issue was set for 14 April.
The results of the plebiscite is questioned by Sunanda K. Datta-Ray who argued that "it took at least two days by jeep, the fastest mode of transport, to reach some of these inaccessible habitations, and it just would not have been physically possible to complete arrangements, hold the polls and count votes between 11 and 15 April."
...
Wikipedia