Sibsagar MLA and Raijor Dal president, Akhil Gogoi, performed a late-night reversal, issuing a public apology via Facebook Live for a contentious statement he made during a panchayat election campaign earlier in the day. The apology, delivered with folded hands at midnight, acknowledged the remark as an error in judgment.
The controversy stemmed from Gogoi’s campaign trail in the Naoboicha constituency of Lakhimpur, where he asserted that “Muslims who vote for the BJP will go to hell and will be considered ‘kafirs’.” The statement immediately drew widespread criticism, compelling the legislator to address the public with an apology.
In his midnight address, Gogoi stated, “As a progressive and rational person, I should not have made such a statement. I made a mistake, and I seek forgiveness from everyone for it.” The apology sought to mitigate the damage caused by the remark, which had ignited significant backlash.
The incident occurred amidst Gogoi’s intensive campaign efforts across Upper Assam for the upcoming panchayat elections, highlighting the high stakes and heightened tensions surrounding the electoral process.