Priyanka Chopra, your misinformed comments about Sikkim did a huge disservice to Northeast, India.

Priyanka Chopra’s comments, as hurtful as they were to the people of Sikkim, only reflect how little the country knows about the states in the northeast.

Actor Priyanka Chopra is currently being slammed for her factually incorrect statements on Sikkim during an interview at Toronto International Film Festival where she was promoting her production, Sikkimese film Pahuna. The actor not only said the state was “troubled by insurgency”, she also asserted Pahuna was the first film from the region. Massively trolled, Priyanka had to apologise to the state government.

In fact, Sikkim is one of the most peaceful states in India and while its industry cannot weigh up against a prolific Bollywood, it has come out with critically acclaimed films in the past.

Sikkim’s tourism minister Ugen Gyatso wrote, “I condemn Priyanka’s statement. Being an international figure, it’s a very disappointing comment on her behalf. It has definitely made us feel bad and sad but she has apologised us through a mail, likewise her mother Madhu Chopra also apologised over the phone today in presence of Sikkim media persons.”