Congress leader Ajoy Kumar has come under heavy criticism after he mistakenly called Sikkim a “neighbouring country” during a press conference. His comment upset many people in the state and across the country.
While speaking at a press conference on Tuesday about a scam involving SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited), Kumar mentioned Sikkim along with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. He used the phrase “neighbouring countries” and accidentally included Sikkim, which is one of India’s 28 states.
The comment quickly caused a controversy. People in Sikkim, including political leaders, strongly objected to the statement. They felt it was disrespectful and showed a lack of understanding about India’s geography and unity.
Realising the seriousness of the mistake, Ajoy Kumar issued an apology later the same day. He said it was an honest error and not intentional. “It was a slip of the tongue,” he explained. He added that while speaking about relations with neighbouring countries, he accidentally said “Sikkim” instead of another name. He also said the BJP was focusing on small mistakes made by opposition leaders.
However, many people were still upset. Indra Hang Subba, Sikkim’s only Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha, said the comment was “irresponsible and insulting.” He added that it hurt the feelings of the people of Sikkim, who have always been loyal to India.
The incident has raised questions about how political leaders should speak carefully, especially about sensitive topics involving national unity and pride.
While Kumar’s quick apology may calm the situation, many believe political leaders should be more careful with their words, especially when referring to regions like the Northeast that already face issues of recognition and respect.
The controversy highlights the importance of treating all Indian states with equal dignity and understanding their importance in the nation’s identity.
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