Controversy over Sikkim being a separate country in Delhi government's recruitment announcement

New Delhi, 23rd May 2020 Saturday

The announcement by the Delhi government to recruit civil defense volunteers sparked controversy today. In the announcement, the BJP and the Congress slammed the AAP government in Delhi for classifying Sikkim as a neighboring country and categorizing it as Bhutan and Nepal. As the controversy escalates, Delhi Deputy Governor Anil Baijal has suspended the senior official responsible for the error in the announcement.

Baijal said on Twitter that a senior official of the Directorate of Civil Defense (Headquarters) had been suspended with immediate effect for publishing an advertisement calling Sikkim a separate country and insulting India's territorial integrity. He further said that such a mistake could not be made. This announcement has also been ordered to be withdrawn with immediate effect. It may be mentioned that the advertisement for recruitment of Civil Defense Volunteers was published in Delhi newspapers today. The advertisement stated that a citizen of India or a resident of Sikkim or Bhutan or Nepal or a resident of Delhi.

The Sikkim government also opposed the announcement and demanded that it be withdrawn with immediate effect. Sikkim Chief Secretary SC Gupta has written a letter to the Delhi government protesting.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal has said that Sikkim is an integral part of India. Such mistakes cannot be avoided under any circumstances. The advertisement has been withdrawn and action has been taken against the concerned officer.