Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Borah has tendered an unconditional apology to the people of Assam for his recent controversial statements concerning Lord Krishna, amidst a heated exchange with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. His remarks, which had drawn widespread criticism, sparked a war of words between the state Congress president and the chief minister over the Golaghat triple murder case.
In his public apology, Borah expressed deep repentance for his comments and sought forgiveness from the people of Assam. He revealed that a significant dream visitation by his grandfather had led him to recognize the gravity of his mistake. The dream encounter served as a wake-up call, prompting him to realize the hurt his statements had caused to the sentiments of the people. As per Borah’s account, his forefathers also advised him to seek solace through prayers at the Namghar (traditional prayer hall).
Addressing the media, Bhupen Borah asserted that his apology was a sincere acknowledgment of the fact that his remarks were a mistake and had caused distress to the public. However, he made it clear that his decision to apologize was not driven by fear of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma or any pressure from external sources.
The controversy escalated when Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to Borah’s “love-jihad” remark on the Golaghat triple murder case. The CM alleged that the incident was a result of “love jihad,” a term used by some right-wing politicians to describe an alleged campaign by Muslim men to convert Hindu women through seduction.
In a counter to CM Sarma’s stance, Bhupen Borah made a contentious statement regarding Lord Krishna’s marriage to Rukmini, referring to it as a form of “love-jihad.” The comment further intensified the ongoing war of words between the two leaders, drawing widespread attention and criticism.
In the aftermath of the heated exchange, Bhupen Borah decided to put an end to the controversy by extending a genuine apology. He expressed remorse for his remarks and emphasized his commitment to fostering harmony and respect among all communities in Assam.
