Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (PTI Photo)
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also expressed his disappointment over the advertisement on his official Twitter handle, where he asked the Delhi government to rectify the same.
- News18.com
- Last Updated: May 23, 2020, 8:10 PM IST
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The Sikkim government on Saturday wrote a letter, addressed to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev, expressing its disappoint over an advertisement by Delhi government for hiring civil defence volunteers where Sikkim was mentioned as a different country along with Bhutan and Nepal.
The letter, written by SC Gupta, Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, mentioned that people of the state have been “immensely” hurt as they take pride in being a part of India ever since Sikkim became a separate state of the country in 1975.
“This is immensely hurtful to the people of Sikkim who take pride in being the citizens of our great country, ever since it became 22nd state of the Indian Union on 16th May 1975,” he said.
He further requested the Delhi government to withdraw the offensive advertisement with immediate effect.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also expressed his disappointment over the advertisement on his official Twitter handle, where he asked the Delhi government to rectify the same.
This advertisement published by the Delhi Government in various print media mentions Sikkim along with countries like Bhutan and Nepal. Sikkim has been a part of India since 1975 and celebrated the State Day just a week ago.
“Sikkim is a part of India and should not be sethis is condemnable and I would request the Delhi Government to rectify this issue,” wrote Tamang.
“This advertisement published by the Delhi Government in various print media mentions Sikkim along with countries like Bhutan and Nepal. Sikkim has been a part of India since 1975 and celebrated the State Day just a week ago,” he further added.
Delhi LG Anij Baijal took to Twitter and said that there will be “zero tolerance” for such “gross” mistakes and directed the AAP government to withdraw the offensive advertisement immediately.
He also said that a senior officer of the Directorate of Civil Defence (HQ) has been suspended for for publishing the advertisement that “disrespects the territorial integrity of India by making incorrect reference to Sikkim on the same lines as some neighbouring countries.”
Zero tolerance for such gross misconduct !
Direction has also been given immediately to withdraw the offensive advertisement.
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) May 23, 2020
A senior officer of Directorate of Civil Defence (HQ) has been suspended with immediate effect for publishing an Advertisement which disrespects the territorial integrity of India by making incorrect reference to Sikkim on the same lines as some neighbouring countries.
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) May 23, 2020
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari also shared a video on Twitter condemning the AAP government for putting out such an “ignorant” advertisement.
Addressing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Tiwari wrote, “What is this ? Sikkim is an integral part of India Flag of India.. what are you up to, Nation wants to know now!!”
Several other leaders also expressed their disappointment over the same and requested the Kejriwal government to mend its mistake.
The advertisement by Delhi government:
(Image credit: Twitter)
In a newspaper advertisement on Saturday, May 23, the Delhi government mistakenly identified the state of Sikkim as a separate country and placed it alongside other sovereign nations like Bhutan and Nepal.