Gangtok, May 22: A purported notification allegedly issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs claiming a proposed merger of Darjeeling Hills, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars with Sikkim triggered sharp reactions after the document circulated widely across social media platforms.
The viral document, dated May 10, 2026, referred to a supposed “preliminary review” process involving the merger of the regions with Sikkim after “mandatory Census and Delimitation procedures”. It further claimed that the Centre had invited the governments of West Bengal and Sikkim for “high-level consultative meetings” regarding the proposal.
Political parties in Sikkim, however, dismissed the notification as fabricated and forged, warning of legal consequences for those responsible for creating and circulating it.
The Sikkim unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemned the circulation of the document, describing it as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation. The party termed it a “highly provocative and dangerous piece of propaganda” allegedly designed to generate confusion, communal tension and unrest in the state.
The party also warned that legal action would be initiated against individuals found involved in creating, sharing or promoting the document and stated that those responsible would be traced and held accountable.
The legal cell of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha also raised questions over the authenticity of the notification, highlighting what it described as multiple technical and procedural discrepancies.
According to the party, the document lacked standard authentication features and digital verification mechanisms, while also containing signature formatting and drafting styles inconsistent with established government communication procedures.
The SKM legal cell further stated that there had been no official notification, gazette publication, Press Information Bureau release or authorised public record supporting the claims contained in the viral document.
The party accused politically motivated groups of attempting to spread rumours and misinformation that could create panic among the public and urged people to avoid circulating unverified content and rely only on official government communication channels.
The issue rapidly gained attention online due to the politically sensitive nature of the regions named in the document. Darjeeling and Kalimpong in northern West Bengal have historically witnessed demands related to Gorkhaland and regional autonomy, making any suggestion of territorial restructuring particularly sensitive.
No official notification or statement regarding any such merger has been issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs or the Government of India.
