MLA Rasheed Alam Apologises to Journalist Rajdeep Bailung After On-Air Spat

Following a controversial and widely criticised on-air outburst during a live talk show in a satellite news channel of Assam, Congress MLA Abul Kalam Rasheed Alam has issued a public apology to senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of the channel, Rajdeep Bailung Baruah.

The incident took place during a televised debate on Friday evening, when a verbal altercation broke out between Alam and Baruah, drawing sharp reactions from the journalist fraternity and political circles alike. Alam was accused of indecent and disrespectful behaviour towards the senior journalist during the live broadcast. Several journalist associations had also demanded an apology from the MLA.

In response to the backlash, the MLA from Goalpara East took to social media on Saturady to express regret over the episode and offered an unconditional apology. Alam said that at the time of the talk show, he was deeply disturbed and emotionally affected by the grim realities unfolding in Assam.

He said, “During the talk show yesterday, an unexpected and unfortunate situation unfolded. I want to sincerely apologise for what happened. At the time, I was deeply disturbed and emotionally affected by the grim realities unfolding in Assam, the ongoing evictions, people being shot, suicides being reported, and many others fighting for their lives in hospitals. These incidents have taken a toll on me, and I was not in the right frame of mind."

Referring to his relationship with Rajdeep Bailung Baruah, the Congress legislator said the exchange was not something either of them had anticipated. “I have always shared a cordial relationship with Rajdeep Baruah, which is why I agreed to participate in the discussion. Neither of us anticipated the conversation would escalate the way it did. Rajdeep became upset at a point, and when I questioned the neutrality of his stance, he called me ill-mannered and asked me to leave. In the heat of the moment, I retaliated and said something inappropriate, for which I am truly remorseful,” he said.

Addressing Baruah directly, Alam further apologised saying, “Rajdeep Bailung, if you are hurt, I offer my heartfelt apology. Let us both move past this with the understanding that you, as a journalist, and I, as a politician, share a common purpose, to serve the people.”

He concluded by extending an apology to the larger media fraternity: “I would also like to extend a sincere apology to the entire journalist fraternity. If my words or actions caused any hurt, it was never my intention. I respect the role of the media in a democracy and hold your work in high regard.”

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