In a letter written to the Delhi government, Sikkim chief secretary SC Gupta said that the “offensive” ad must be withdrawn immediately since it is “immensely hurtful” to the people.
In an advertisement for recruitment of volunteers for the Civil Defense corps, Sikkim has been clubbed with neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bhutan.

In the letter, Gupta wrote that the people of Sikkim take pride in being the citizens of this great country ever since it became the 22nd state of the Indian Union on May 16, 1975.

The Sikkim chief secretary urged the Delhi government to “immediately” withdraw the “offensive” advertisement and also issue a suitable communique to assuage the feelings of the people of Sikkim.
Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang also urged the Delhi government to withdraw the advertisement.
This advertisement published by the Delhi Government in various print media mentions Sikkim along with countries li… https://t.co/uOCEfjGUzF
— Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) (@GolayPs) 1590234355000
Sikkim is a part of India and should not be sethis is condemnable and I would request the Delhi Government to recti… https://t.co/bI5OGlZffp
— Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) (@GolayPs) 1590234366000
In the advertisement, the eligibility column for the application says that an applicant should be a citizen of India or a subject of Nepal, Bhutan or Sikkim.