False Saviours
Bhoj Raj Rai, fellow campaigner of P. S. Tamang, makes a memorable announcement in Soshing, 22nd November 2012.
In 1979, the common people were enthusiastic about Messiah Bhandari who was to save Sikkim from the ill of Kazi Sahb and his treacherous gang. He promised the heaven on earth, what Sikkim finally got was worse than anything experienced before.
Therefore, in 1994, the people felt the urgent need for a new Messiah. His name was Chamling, and he had been in Bhandari's team for a number of years. However, the voters were all too glad to believe that, once he managed to chase away evil Bhandari, all would be well. - What other choice did they have, after all? - Meanwhile, independent Sikkimese do know Chamling's paradise well enough to feel disgusted about all the blessings in tow: Autocratic governance by an administration seizing the position of the main employer in the state, defilement of sacred landscapes of the indigenous peoples, abysmal corruption, to name just a few.
One would expect that, meanwhile, the Sikkimese are fed up with their saviours. On the other hand, one has to consider that we are a nation firmly rooted in traditions. We do not part easily with established patterns - no matter wether they proved helpful or disastrous - after so many years. Accordingly, folks are increasingly inclined to repeat past mistakes for a third time. In the course of the last, may be, one year and a half, a new Messiah has emerged: Golay! It does not matter that he's been an integral part of the problem as he's expected to be the problem's resolution. Because he dares to contradict. Just imagine! What bravery!
It was sheer mischief on the part of P. S. Tamang, that Bhandari could not resist from publicly announcing his support for Golay's movement which, as yet, is but an announced one. Bhandari, a convicted criminal, still hasn't got it were time for him to shut up. He's had his opportunities and he has proven unworthy. May be, he's dreaming of a political comeback as a hanger-on to the new saviour, but for Golay, this is bad publicity, indeed.
Anyway, compared to this third party mishap, a recent flop from within Tamang's team may have a more damaging impact. During a public meeting in Soshing, Bhoj Raj Rai urged contractors, ministers, MLAs, chairmen, advisors and Panchayats of the SDF to switch sides. All their black deeds would be accounted for in future. Which, somehow, implies that they won't be held responsible for their black deeds if they cross the floor in due time. Best thanks, Mr. Rai, for this unmasking statement!
Under such circumstances, the saying "never two without three" should probably be taken with a pinch of salt. Do remember what life taught us: We can not expect - and we do not deserve - release from swallowing the rotten fruits of our own silliness. Least of all do such expectations match with politicians considering crimes condemnable only if they were committed by followers of the other camp.
Think it over. Take the salvation of Sikkim into your own hands!
Otherwise, we don't deserve any better ...
Chopel Serkhangpa, 24th November 2012