New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against some of its observations referring to Sikkimese Nepalis as "immigrants".

In a series of tweets, the Union Home Minister's office said the central government has submitted before the Supreme Court its position about the sanctity of Article 371F of the Constitution that safeguards the Sikkimese identity.

Also Read | Indian Railways Starts e-Catering Service on WhatsApp; Here's How To Order.

"Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) files review petition in Supreme Court against some of the observations and directions in a recent judgement dated 13th January, 2023 in two petitions of 2013 and 2021 filed by Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim and Ors in Supreme Court.

"GoI (Government of India) reiterated its position about the sanctity of Article 371F of the Constitution that safeguards the Sikkimese identity, which should not be diluted. Further, the observation in the said order about persons of foreign origin settled in Sikkim like Nepalis should be reviewed as the said persons are Sikkimese of Nepali origin," the tweets said.

Also Read | Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Says His Government Committed To Provide Accessible Legal Services to Citizens at Doorstep.

The MHA's move came amid protests in Sikkim over the Supreme Court observation referring to Sikkimese Nepalis as "immigrants" while extending income tax exemption to all old settlers of the state.

On Sunday, a delegation from Sikkim, led by the state BJP president D R Thapa, also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured them that the central government would file a review plea before the Supreme Court to seek clarity on the term "Sikkimese" in line with constitutional provisions, official sources said.

Shah told the delegation that sentiments of the Sikkimese community would be respected.

The people of Sikkim are an integral and essential part of India and the constitutional provision for the people of Sikkim shall be protected, Shah was quoted as saying by the sources.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)