Gangtok, August 20: A controversy erupted at Sikkim University after a student was detained by police for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Nepali language and community in an official department WhatsApp group, sparking widespread outrage among students.
The incident took place on August 14, when Raj Shekhar Sarkar, a commerce department student from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, described Nepali as a “foreign country’s language” and suggested that those wishing to use it should “go to Nepal.” He also reportedly questioned the observance of Independence Day on August 15, remarking that classes should continue as usual.
The comments, made in a WhatsApp group that included both students and faculty, triggered strong backlash on campus. Student groups accused Sarkar of insulting the sentiments of the Nepali-speaking community and demanded his immediate expulsion.
Acting on a complaint, Sikkim Police detained Sarkar under sections 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (promoting enmity between groups), 353(1)(c) (false statements inciting offenses between communities), and 353(2) (promoting enmity through falsehood).
“Our demand is very clear — the student should be permanently terminated from the university. He has hurt the sentiments of Nepali-speaking people across the state, the country, and even globally. Divisive thoughts like these cannot be tolerated in an academic space,” said Anup Regmi, President of the Sikkim University Students’ Association (SUSA).
Though Sarkar has since issued an apology, student unions remain firm on their demand for strong disciplinary action, warning that such divisive remarks have no place in an institution of higher learning.
