Guwahati: Maharashtra MLA Bacchu Kadu has formally apologised to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the state’s citizens after receiving harsh criticism for his disparaging remarks on the people of Assam.
Earlier, Kadu the leader of the Prahar Janshakti Party and the independent MLA for Achalpur had urged that stray dogs from Maharashtra be transferred to Assam for eating by the locals. People were outraged by Kadu’s statement and demanded an apology from him.
Kadu made the remark on March 4 during a meeting of the assembly when talking about the problem of stray dogs in Maharashtra. He later withdrew the statement and apologised to the Assam Chief Minister for hurting Assamese feelings.
“I had already apologized to him (Assam CM) for hurting the sentiments of people in Assam. I have withdrawn my statement,” Kadu said.
Assam government had faced criticism for its inaction following Kadu’s comments. Chief Minister Sarma had written to his Maharashtra counterpart Eknath Shinde on March 19 expressing his disappointment with Kadu’s statement.
In the letter, CM Sarma urged Shinde to tell Kadu to take back his remarks and apologise publicly for them.
“Along with the people of Assam, I am extremely dismayed and agitated by the comments of the MLA (Kadu) which has exposed his prejudices and ignorance about the culture of our state. I am sure you will fully empathize with the sentiments of the people of Assam in this matter,” Sarma had written.
Speaking before the legislature, Kadu had asserted that stray dogs in Assam are highly sought-after and can sell for up to Rs 8,000 each. Though his remarks drew strong criticism and condemnation from a wide range of sources.