On May 18, 2025, an Indian Army team planted the national flag atop Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak, as part of the “Har Shikhar Tiranga” mission. While celebrated as a patriotic achievement, the act has ignited fierce backlash in Sikkim, where indigenous communities revere the mountain as a sacred deity. The controversy pits national pride against cultural preservation, raising urgent questions about autonomy, faith, and the true meaning of unity in India’s diverse landscape.
Kanchenjunga: A Mountain That’s a God
For Sikkim’s Bhutia, Lepcha, and Sherpa communities, Kanchenjunga is no ordinary peak. Its name means “Five Treasures of the High Snow,” representing gold, silver, gems, grain, and sacred texts hidden within its slopes. Locals believe it is the abode of Dzoe-Nga, the guardian deity of Sikkim, and consider summiting it a sacrilege akin to trampling on a temple.
This belief isn’t new. In 1955, British climbers Joe Brown and George Band famously stopped 10 meters short of the summit to respect local sentiments. Their restraint set a global precedent for ethical mountaineering—one that Sikkim’s government later codified in 2000 by banning climbs on its side of the mountain.
The Climb That Crossed a Line
The Indian Army’s May 18 expedition, led by Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, scaled Kanchenjunga from Nepal’s Taplejung district, technically avoiding Sikkim’s ban. Yet for Sikkimese activists, the distinction is meaningless. “The deity doesn’tt care about borders,” said a Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) representative. “This is a violation of our faith”.
The backlash was immediate:
- SIBLAC condemned the climb as illegal under the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which protects sacred sites.
- Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding India pressure Nepal to extend the climbing ban to its side.
- Monks and youth groups held protests in Gangtok, comparing the flag-planting to “hoisting a banner on the Golden Temple’sTemple’s sanctum”.
Why This Hurts More Than Just Feelings
The dispute isn’t just about religion—it’s about power. Sikkim, which merged with India in 1975, has long guarded its unique identity through Article 371F of the Constitution, which protects its cultural laws. Many here view the climb as another erosion of their autonomy, following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that redefined “Sikkimese” in ways locals feared would dilute their identity.
“First, they redefine who we are. Now they disrespect what we worship,” said Chheten Tashi Bhutia of SIBLAC. “Where does it end?”
Global Parallels: Sacred Peaks vs. National Pride
Kanchenjunga isn’t alone. Globally, governments balance adventure tourism with spiritual respect:
- Nepal bans climbs on Machapuchare (sacred to the Gurungs) and Khumbila (the Sherpas’ protector deity).
- China prohibits expeditions to Mount Kailash, revered by four religions.
Even economically, the math favours protection: Sikkim’s eco-tourism thrives on treks around Kanchenjunga (such as Goecha La), proving that sacredness need not sacrifice livelihoods.
What’sWhat’s Next? A Call for Dialogue
With tensions high, solutions must bridge divides:
- Legal Action: Sikkim could push for Kanchenjunga’s recognition as a “Cultural Heritage Site” under UNESCO, leveraging its existing biosphere reserve status.
- Diplomatic Talks: India and Nepal could negotiate a transboundary climbing ban, as Sikkim’s CM has urged.
- Community Involvement: Future ” patriotic missions” should consult local leaders to avoid repeating this clash.
Conclusion: Unity Without Uniformity
As the tricolour flutters over Kanchenjunga, India faces a defining question: Can it celebrate unity without silencing diversity? The mountain’s saga reminds us that patriotism isn’t just about flags, it’s about listening to those whose voices are often drowned out in national cheers.
“True unity,” as one Gangtok protester put it, “starts with respect.“.
