Controversial Letter Sparks Debate Over Fundraising for Kangra Valley Carnival

Viral Letter Raises Eyebrows

Sunil Chadha
Dharamshala: A letter allegedly from the Kangra unit of the Himachal Pradesh Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has gained traction on social media after being shared by Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma on his Facebook account.

The document, dated December 17, 2025, is directed to various local businesses, including petrol stations, LPG agencies, HPTL license holders, and mill owners in the Kangra district. It requests financial contributions for the upcoming 'Kangra Valley Karnival,' with a notable misspelling of 'Carnival' as 'Karnival' throughout the text.

In his post, Sudhir Sharma accused the state government of soliciting funds from private enterprises for the event. Previously a member of the Congress party, he left after being denied a ministerial position and has been vocal against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Sharma's post included a quote: 'Those trying to run the show by repeatedly demanding collections, the veil from your faces too will one day be lifted.'

The letter indicates that the district administration is organizing the carnival as a cultural and social initiative aimed at promoting local art, culture, tourism, and community involvement. It requests recipients to provide 'valuable support by way of financial contribution,' specifying that funds should be routed through inspectors of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra.

The authenticity of the letter, purportedly signed by Purshotam Singh, District Controller of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in Kangra, has not been independently verified.

Adding to the political discourse, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur also shared the letter on his Facebook page, but it was later removed, intensifying discussions about the document's legitimacy and purpose.

This situation has ignited a new political controversy in Himachal Pradesh, with opposition parties accusing the Sukhu-led government of coercive fundraising tactics. The government has yet to provide an official response regarding the viral letter.

Complete Content of the Letter:

No. FDS-KGR-Summer Karnival-18937-94J
Government of Himachal Pradesh
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department

From:
The District Controller,
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs,
Kangra at Dharamshala (H.P.)

To:

All Petrol Pump Owners,
District Kangra, H.P.
All LPG Gas Agencies,
District Kangra, H.P.
All HPTL Licence Holders,
District Kangra, H.P.
All Rice and Flour Millers,
District Kangra, H.P.
All Brick Kiln Owners,
District Kangra, H.P.

Dated: 17 December, 2025

Subject:
Request for Contribution for Kangra Valley Karnival

Sir,
Please find enclosed herewith a copy of letter No. 512/Kangra Karnival/D.N. dated 18-11-2025 received from the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra at Dharamshala, H.P., on the subject cited above.
It is respectfully submitted that the District Administration, Kangra, is organising the Kangra Valley Karnival, a cultural and social event aimed at promoting local art, culture, tourism and community participation in the district. The Karnival is a prestigious platform that showcases the rich heritage of Kangra Valley and encourages the socio-economic development of the district.
In this regard, you are kindly requested to extend your valuable support by way of financial contribution for the successful organisation of the Kangra Valley Karnival. Your generous contribution will go a long way in ensuring the smooth conduct of the event and will significantly contribute towards making the Karnival a grand success.
The contribution may please be sent through your Inspectors Grade-I, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, District Kangra, H.P., at the earliest, preferably on or before the stipulated date, so that the same may be consolidated and submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra at Dharamshala accordingly.

Yours faithfully,

Purshotam Singh
District Controller
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs,
Kangra at Dharamshala

Phone No.: 01892-222877
Email: dfsc-kan.hp@nic.in