Small human error: Congress leader after Sikkim neighbouring country remarks draw backlash

New Delhi: A day after inviting immense backlash for referring to Sikkim as a "neighbouring country”, Congress leader Ajoy Kumar issued a public apology on Wednesday clarifying that his statement was "slip of tongue" and a "small human error".

Taking to X, he wrote, "Yesterday in my press conference on 'SAIL 400 crore scam', when I was speaking on the deteriorating relations with our neighboring countries, I accidentally took name of a state. For which I sincerely apologize as it was just a slip of tongue. I heard from a journalist friend that @BJP4India is planning to organise a press conference on this small human error."

The Congress leader's remarks drew sharp reaction from the BJP which slammed him for disregarding "India’s history and geography".

"It is utterly deplorable that a former IPS officer and Member of Parliament displays such appalling disregard for India’s history and geography,” Naren Bhandari, media incharge of BJP Sikkim said on X.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla intensified the attack by likening the Congress’ approach to that of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. "The Congress party is following the footsteps of Jinnah. Jinnah wanted an Islamic state and the partition of India, and Congress is doing the same today," he said.

Add TV9 English As A Trusted Source

Ajoy Kumar, a former IPS officer and former MP, made the controversial remark during a press conference on India’s foreign policy challenges. Discussing India's relations with neighbouring nations, Kumar inadvertently referred to Sikkim, a northeastern state, as a "neighbouring country.” Although Kumar has apologised for his mistake, the controversy has fueled broader political debate, with BJP leaders questioning the Congress’ national commitment and awareness.

Written by Nishwartha