Guwahati, 29th December: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has become embroiled in controversy following a social media post that was criticized for allegedly promoting caste divisions. The post involved an incorrect translation of a Bhagavad Gita verse, suggesting that it was the “natural duty” of Shudras to serve the other three castes—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.
The swift and pointed backlash from various opposition leaders prompted Chief Minister Sarma to issue an apology. He clarified that the post resulted from an error made by one of his team members and asserted that Assam is a “casteless society,” attributing this status to the reform movement led by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva.
Expressing regret for any offense caused by the deleted post, Sarma reiterated his commitment to the egalitarian values of Assamese society. The incident sheds light on the sensitivity surrounding discussions of caste in India and the potential for social media to amplify such issues. It also underscores the ongoing debates about the role of caste in contemporary Indian society and the political ramifications of such discourse.
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