The correct answer is: a) Overwhelming support for merging with India.
The 1975 referendum in Sikkim was a controversial vote held in the Indian state of Sikkim on 14 April 1975. The referendum was held to determine whether Sikkim should remain an independent kingdom or merge with India. The result of the referendum was an overwhelming victory for the merger option, with 97.55% of voters in favor of merging with India. The referendum was boycotted by the Sikkimese National Congress, the main opposition party in Sikkim, which alleged that the vote was rigged.
The merger of Sikkim with India was controversial at the time, and it remains a sensitive issue in Sikkim today. Some Sikkimese people believe that the merger was a violation of their sovereignty, while others believe that it was a necessary step for the development of Sikkim.
The following are the brief explanations of each option:
- Option a: Overwhelming support for merging with India. This option is correct because the result of the referendum was an overwhelming victory for the merger option, with 97.55% of voters in favor of merging with India.
- Option b: A narrow victory for maintaining the monarchy. This option is incorrect because the merger option won by a landslide, with 97.55% of voters in favor of merging with India.
- Option c: A split vote along ethnic lines. This option is incorrect because the referendum was not split along ethnic lines. The majority of voters from all ethnic groups in Sikkim voted in favor of merging with India.
- Option d: Widespread boycotts and protests. This option is incorrect because the referendum was not boycotted by a significant number of voters. The only major party to boycott the referendum was the Sikkimese National Congress, which alleged that the vote was rigged.