Assam Minister Ashok Singhal on Thursday dismissed allegations that he made negative remarks about the revered cultural tradition of Bhaona, calling the claims completely baseless.
In a statement, Singhal clarified that there was no question of him making such remarks, but certain media outlets had reported misleading narratives, creating misconceptions among the public. Acknowledging that the controversy may have hurt sentiments, he emphasized that he never intended to spark unnecessary debate.
"If my words have hurt anyone’s feelings, I sincerely apologize," he stated.
Earlier, in a social media post, Singhal reaffirmed, "First and foremost, I would like to make it clear that these allegations are completely false and fabricated." He confirmed that a group of media representatives had visited him and invited him to a Bhaona performance but denied making any disrespectful comments.
"The claim that I made any disrespectful remarks about Bhaona is not only untrue but beyond my imagination. Fabricating such a story and involving the name of the revered Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva is an insult to him. Attempting to tarnish my public image in this manner is completely unacceptable," his post read.
Expressing his deep reverence for Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, Singhal reiterated, "We are devoted followers of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and have always embraced his creations with utmost respect. The great Guru, whose contributions have enriched the Assamese community, is someone we invoke at the beginning of each day."
He further stated that the false propaganda surrounding the issue had caused him immense personal distress. "We would never dare to make such statements about the revered Guru’s creations," he asserted.
Singhal also called for an apology from the journalist responsible for spreading the alleged misinformation, warning of legal action if the issue was not addressed. "I strongly condemn this act of disrespect and the attempt to mislead the Assamese people with falsehoods. I urge the journalist involved to issue an apology immediately; otherwise, I will be compelled to take legal action," he warned.
Also Read: Ashok Singhal Refutes Allegations of Insulting 'Bhaona', Calls for Apology
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