Daijiworld Media Network – Sikkim
Sikkim, Jul 2: A massive political storm erupted on Wednesday after Congress leader and former MP Ajoy Kumar mistakenly referred to Sikkim as a ‘neighbouring country’ during a press conference, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP and the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM). The incident comes less than two months after Sikkim celebrated 50 years of its merger with India.
While addressing the media on Tuesday regarding a ?400 crore scam in the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Kumar accused the BJP-led central government of worsening India’s ties with neighbouring nations. In a slip of the tongue, he included Sikkim along with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, referring to it as a foreign country.
Facing backlash, Kumar took to social media platform X the next day, expressing regret. “It was just a slip of the tongue during a larger point I was making on regional diplomacy. I sincerely apologise,” he wrote, adding that BJP was trying to politicise a ‘small human error’ instead of focusing on real issues like the SAIL scam.
The BJP, however, did not take the remark lightly. Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack, accusing the Congress of harbouring separatist tendencies. “Calling Sikkim a neighbouring country is not just an insult to the state but to the entire Northeast,” he said. “Congress is behaving like a ‘Jinnahwadi’ party—they’ve always disrespected the Northeast, whether it was by neglect or divisive politics.”
He also invoked history, alleging the Congress had ‘bombed’ a state in the Northeast in the past and once even ‘said bye-bye to Assam’ in the 1960s.
The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), the ruling party in the state, also condemned Kumar's remarks. Yougan Tamang, Press Secretary to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), said the comments were “deeply hurtful” and revealed “a shocking ignorance of Indian history and geography.”
“Sikkim became a full-fledged part of India in 1975 after a democratic referendum. For a senior leader of a national party to make such a statement is not just careless but deeply insulting to the people of Sikkim,” Tamang said. He urged the Congress leadership to take disciplinary action against Kumar.
He further added, “India is a union of diverse states. Political leaders must take their responsibility seriously and avoid making statements that mislead the public or harm national unity.”
The gaffe has reignited a long-standing debate about mainland India's ignorance of the Northeast, with critics urging national parties to show greater sensitivity and awareness regarding the region’s unique history and contributions.