Indian embassy flags incorrect India map at Scotland restaurant after Lovlina Borgohain’s objection

The Indian High Commission in Scotland on Sunday expressed concern over the depiction of an incorrect map of India at a Glasgow restaurant after boxer Lovlina Borgohain objected to the omission of the Northeast from the map displayed as part of the establishment’s branding.

The issue came to light when Borgohain, who was at the restaurant with the Indian boxing contingent for a celebratory dinner after the Commonwealth Games, noticed that the Northeast was missing from the map shown inside and outside the eatery, Mister Singh’s India.

“We have noted with concern the depiction of an incorrect map of India at the premises of a restaurant where members of the Indian sports contingent were hosted,” the Indian mission said, adding that it had raised the matter with the establishment and received assurances that corrective action was being taken. The embassy said the restaurant had agreed to immediately withdraw items carrying the incorrect map.

Borgohain, who hails from Assam, politely flagged the issue with the restaurant management, saying the depiction was hurtful to people from the Northeast.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way. I felt a little hurt by this. In the map of India, our Northeast is missing… As someone from the Northeast, that really hurts us,” she said.

Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh, who was present during the visit, said there was no confrontation and that the restaurant acknowledged the mistake and promised to correct it.

Following the controversy, Mister Singh’s India issued an apology, saying it never intended to offend anyone and would change its logo to reflect the correct map of India. The restaurant said it was honoured to host the Indian athletes after their successful Commonwealth Games campaign.

Shortly after issuing the statement, the restaurant’s Instagram page appeared to have been taken down.

Borgohain’s response drew praise from leaders in Assam, with state ministers lauding the boxer for standing up for India’s territorial integrity. Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal summed up the sentiment, saying, “Some punches hit with conviction, not gloves.”