After facing arrest over his controversial remark describing Ahom dynasty founder Chaolong Sukaphaa a "Chinese invader", Kolkata-based political commentator Garga Chatterjee on Saturday offered an "unconditional" apology to the people of Assam.
Taking to Twitter, Chatterjee said that he has written to Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal expressing regret over his remarks. "I express my unconditional apology to the people of Assam, the Tai Ahom community and to Honorable CM of Assam @sarbanandsonwal or any hurt in sentiment that I may have caused unintentionally through social media post. My apology statement video is below," he tweeted.
He also shared a video of his apology and said that he has deepest regards and respect for Swargadeo Sukapha's exemplary role as architect of Bor Ahom. "From the core of my heart, I unconditionally apologize to all the people of Assam including the Tai Ahom community through honourable chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal for any previous social media post by me that may have unintentionally hurt anyone's sentiment," Chatterjee said.
Chatterjee's apology comes two months after Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal directed the police to arrest the Kolkata-based political commentator for allegedly insulting the first Ahom king.
Chatterjee, who describes himself as a “Bengali nationalist” on Twitter, tweeted on June 17, “Why does @sarbanandsonwal [Assam CM’s handle] regularly celebrate a Chinese invader and his invading army? Why does banned separatist group ULFA also celebrate the Chinese invader? Do real Indians know that Indian tax money is being used by BJP in Assam to put up statues of a Chinese invader?” Chatterjee's remarks led to widespread outrage among the people of Assam. While several FIRs were filed against him and a team of Assam police landed in Kolkata to apprehend him but went back unsuccessful.
