In the fake FIR case row, Jacob Khaling had called on press conference on August 23 and informed of lodging a police report of defamation against Sikkimey Nagarik Samaj members namely Passang Sherpa, Bharat Basnet and Tseten Tashi Bhutia. While addressing media, Khaling had said “Abo Tseten Tashi sir lay MG Marg ma kasari hinihinch ani kasari Bhutia Lepcha ko lagi bolcha”
The Bhutia Lepcha community of Sikkim demonstrated a solidarity rally in MG Marg, Gangtok on August 29. The solidarity rally was organized with a prime motive to stand with Tsheten Tashi Bhutia, Convener Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and condemn the recent statement made by Jacob Khaling, Political Secretary to Chief Minister in a press conference held in capital in regard to the Fake FIR case. The rally was conducted peacefully in the entire stretch of MG Marg, Gangtok.
In the fake FIR case row, Jacob Khaling had called on press conference on August 23 and informed of lodging a police report of defamation against Sikkimey Nagarik Samaj members namely Passang Sherpa, Bharat Basnet and Tseten Tashi Bhutia. While addressing media, Khaling had said “Abo Tseten Tashi sir lay MG Marg ma kasari hinihinch ani kasari Bhutia Lepcha ko lagi bolcha”
“How will Tsteten Tashi sir walk at MG Marg and will he be able to speak for the Bhutia Lepcha community of Sikkim Again”
After the press conference of Khaling social media also witnessed uproar against the political secretary Jacob Khaling and also various defaming cartoons of Passang Sherpa, Bharat Basnet and Tseten Tashi Bhutia were circulating on social media platforms.
On August 28 night, Jacob Khaling published a video on his official Facebook handle tendering an apology to Tseten Tashi Bhutia and expressed his regret over using some irrelevant words.
Addressing the media on August 29, Tseten Tashi Bhutia said, “ I was invited today by people to walk with them at MG Marg and ‘ aju hinayra dekownu parnay cha” “I have to show him that I can walk here”
Speaking with Sikkim Chronicle Nim Phintso Bhutia, one of representative from Bhutia Lepcha community said, “This rally is participated by all the like minded people of Bhutia Lepcha community of Sikkim and his well-wishers from other community as well. This rally is a reply to Political Secretary Jacob Khaling, who earlier raised question on Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Convener, SIBLAC on how will he walk at MG Marg, so in support and demonstrate how Tseten Tashi can walk in MG Marg this peace rally was organized”
“Tseten Tashi is guardian of Bhutia Lepcha community, all small organization is under him and If he (Jacob Khalling) repeats and gives such kind of statements again we would gather in much larger numbers” He added
Similarly, Sonam Doma Bhutia, SIBLAC women wing said, “ SKM government is our government it’s not only theirs we have also contributed in bringing up of the SKM party but Jacob Khaling holding post of Political Secretary to Chief minister and making such kind of statement is not accepted at all”
“He should think before he speaks, and such statements should not be repeated in future” She added
