Guwahati: The president of Congress’s Assam unit, Bhupen Bora, apologised on Friday for drawing a parallel between ‘love jihad’ and Lord Krishna’s relationship with Rukmini while commenting on a recent triple murder case in Golaghat.
The tragic incident involved a 25-year-old man who killed his wife and her parents over some family issues and later surrendered to the police in Golaghat district. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that it was a case of ‘love jihad’ since the husband was Muslim and the wife was Hindu.
In response to these events, Bora made a statement, saying, “All is fair in love and war. There are many stories in our ancient texts, including Krishna eloping with Rukmini, and the chief minister should not harp about marriages between people of different religions and communities in today’s age.” However, this comment faced severe criticism from Sarma, who warned that Bora might face arrest if a police case were filed against him. As a result, the Congress leader offered an apology.
Explaining his decision to apologise, Bora said,”In a dream last night, my grandfather told me that the statement was wrong and it has hurt the people of the state,” he told reporters.
”I have, therefore, decided to offer an earthen lamp and betel leaf and areca nut at a ‘namghar’ (Vaishnavite prayer hall) and seek forgiveness from the lord. I will do this not because I am scared of the chief minister or the BJP but as the people and the Sattradhikars (Vaishnav spiritual heads) have been hurt.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s youth wing, BJYM, filed police complaints against Bora in all districts of the state. Nihar Ranjan Sharma, the Guwahati city BJYM president, lodged a complaint at the Pan Bazaar police station, citing that Bora’s statement had hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Sharma expressed hope that Bora would gain better understanding and wisdom through divine guidance.
Previously, the chief minister had criticised Bora’s remarks, stating,”We do not want to take the step of arresting people, but if Lord Krishna is dragged into controversy, several ‘sanatani’ people will file cases in police stations and then how will I stop the police from taking action?” ”If someone files a case against a person for making such comments, he will be arrested,” he said, without naming Bora.
To clarify the term ‘love jihad,’ Sarma emphasised that it refers to a situation where a girl is coerced into marriage and religious conversion, whereas Krishna’s relationship with Rukmini did not involve such forceful actions.
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