The Hindu Issues Corrigendum After Sikkim Map Controversy; CM Tamang, BJP Sikkim Condemn Omission

KalimNews, Gangtok, May 15, 2025 : The Hindu has issued an official response to the growing controversy over its May 13, 2025, edition, in which a map of India was published without the state of Sikkim. 

In response to widespread objections, the national daily’s editorial team issued a corrigendum the following day, acknowledging the mistake and stating:

“Due to a data input error, the India map in the article, ‘With a New Pope, an Understanding of Catholicism in India’, which appeared in the Data Point section on May 13, 2025, was incorrectly presented with the contours of Sikkim State being shaded out. We apologise for the error. The map and the references have been removed from the story online and corrected in our e-paper editions. — The Editor.”

This correction was published at the end of the corrected, republished and updated article on the night of May 14, 2025, at 10:47 p.m.

Earlier, the publication of the article drew a strong rebuke from Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who described the omission of Sikkim as a “serious and unacceptable error” that undermines India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—particularly as the state prepares to celebrate 50 years of statehood on May 16.

Taking to social media platform X on May 14, CM Tamang wrote: “It has come to my attention that The Hindu, in its edition dated May 13, 2025, published a map of India omitting the state of Sikkim. This is not a mere oversight; it is a serious and unacceptable error that undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation.”

He added that such a misrepresentation is particularly hurtful during a historic year: “At a time when we are celebrating 50 years of Sikkim’s Statehood, such a misrepresentation is deeply hurtful to the people of Sikkim and an affront to the unity of our Republic.”

Tamang further stressed Sikkim’s constitutional status: “Sikkim is an integral part of India, with its identity firmly safeguarded under Article 371F of the Constitution.”

The Sikkim unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also issued a scathing statement, calling the omission an “irresponsible and insensitive act.” 

“This grave error is not merely a cartographic oversight but a blatant affront to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of India,” the BJP said in its official release.

The party emphasized that Sikkim's legal and constitutional identity is protected under Article 371F and demanded that The Hindu’s editorial board issue a public apology and ensure accurate representations in future editions.

BJP Sikkim also urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take action: 

“We further urge the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take cognizance of this matter and initiate appropriate action against the publication for this irresponsible act.”

The incident has sparked a wave of public anger. A widely circulated post on X, on May 14, accused The Hindu of being a “habitual offender” in such matters: 

“Habitual offender The Hindu has published a map of India from which Sikkim is missing. Given a series of similar offences in recent days, it would appear mocking the sovereignty of India is not an editorial error but a considered editorial judgement. The purpose is to question the unity of India and insult the people of Sikkim who are proud of their Indian nationality.”

The post also referenced similar missteps by other media houses, including The Times of India and Deccan Herald, which in the past have been criticized for referring to Jammu and Kashmir as “Indian Controlled Kashmir”—a term seen as aligning with Pakistan’s narrative.

It added that omitting Sikkim violates not only Article 371F but also Articles 19(2) and 19(3) of the Constitution, which allow restrictions on freedom of speech to protect national unity and public order:

“Excluding Sikkim from the map of India is tantamount to militating against India’s national unity and constitutional integrity.”

The post dismissed the apology as insufficient, calling it a “routine proforma statement” that “is of no consequence.”

This latest controversy has reignited broader concerns about how sections of India’s mainstream media portray the country’s territorial integrity. Many in Sikkim and across India have demanded stricter editorial oversight and greater accountability in national publications.

Media in-charge of BJP Sikkim, Niren Bhandari, concluded: “We remind The Hindu and all media organizations of their solemn responsibility to uphold national unity, constitutional integrity, and journalistic accountability.”