Jayanta Malla's Words Misread, Meant Age Not Class: Pijush Hazarika

In an attempt to defuse the ongoing controversy surrounding Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah’s controversial remark during a recent press conference, Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika on Saturday stepped forward to offer a clarification and expressed regret over the misunderstanding.

Speaking to reporters, Hazarika said, “I believe there was a slight misunderstanding in the way Jayanta Malla Baruah's comment was interpreted. I spoke to him personally, and he told me that what he meant was that the individual asking the question was significantly younger than him. He had no intention of making any reference to social class or hierarchy.”

According to Hazarika, Baruah was trying to imply that since the person was much younger, he preferred to respond in a manner appropriate to someone closer to his own age. “It may have come across differently, and if that caused hurt or confusion, I express my sincere regret,” Hazarika added.

He further emphasised that there was no intent to belittle or insult the journalist, clarifying that Baruah’s remark had been misread. “Jayanta and I share a close bond. He did not mean to convey anything derogatory. If his words have hurt anyone, as a colleague, I deeply regret that,” Hazarika said.

Reiterating that the “senior-junior” reference was made purely in the context of age—and not as a reflection of social status or professional worth—Hazarika appealed for the controversy to be viewed in light of intent rather than mere phrasing.

The clarification from Minister Hazarika comes at a time when Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah is facing heavy criticism for allegedly referring to a journalist as a "lower-class person," sparking protests from media professionals across the state.

While the Chief Minister has already urged Baruah to apologise and offered regret on his behalf, Hazarika’s intervention adds to efforts from within the ruling party to contain the fallout.

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