The recent arrest of Bikramadhi Rai from Darjeeling and Subash Mani Singh from Kalimpong by the Sikkim Police for forgery and illegal use of the 50-Year Statehood logo of Sikkim is not just a case of criminal misconduct, it is a classic example of how Relative Deprivation can drive individuals to disgraceful acts.
In social psychology, the Deprivation Theory, particularly Relative Deprivation, explains how people may feel deprived not because they lack basic needs, but because they perceive others as having more. This perception of inequality whether real or imagined, often leads to frustration, resentment, and sometimes illegal actions.
These two individuals, hailing from regions that have long struggled with political instability and identity crises, appear to be driven not by ideology or vision, but by envy. Sikkim, in contrast, is a beacon of peace, stability, and progress, often referred to as India’s most tension-free state. It is a place where law, order, harmony, and development co-exist.
It is this very contrast that perhaps fueled their motivation. Sikkim has what their regions are still yearning for : recognition, pride, unity, and a well-established identity. Rather than build their own legacy, these individuals attempted to illegally appropriate ours. By forging and misusing the 50-Year Statehood logo , a symbol that embodies the pride, hard work, and journey of Sikkimese people , they did not just commit a crime; they tried to steal a legacy. But they failed. Because Sikkim is not just a piece of land. It is a state of mind, a culture of peace, and a symbol of dignity.Our strength does not lie in reacting with noise, but in responding with law and discipline.
These men were not arrested for any ideology, they were arrested for fraud. Let us not glorify their actions as rebellion or protest. Their motivations were not noble; they were born out of frustrated comparison and selfish ambition.
Let it be clear:
Sikkim does not breed lawlessness. It fosters peace.
Sikkim does not envy others. It builds its own path. And when someone tries to undermine our pride, Sikkim stands united, calm, and firm.
Sikkim watches.Sikkim remembers. Sikkim rises ; always above fraud and falsehood.
By Bishal Chhetri. The writer is a resident of Gangtok, Sikkim. He can be contacted at visal.chetri@gmail.com
