GUWAHATI: Assam Minister Ashok Singhal has strongly denied allegations that he made a disrespectful remark about Bhaona, calling the claims "completely false and baseless."
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In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 4, Singhal said he recently became aware of the accusations against him. "First and foremost, I want to make it clear that the allegations are entirely untrue and misleading. It is true that a delegation from the media met me and invited me to the Bhaona event. However, the claim that I made any derogatory comment about Bhaona is not only false but also unimaginable," he posted on his official X account.
The minister further stated that linking the name of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva to such a controversy was an unacceptable attempt to mislead the public and tarnish his image. "We have always been devoted to Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and hold his creations with the utmost respect. His contributions have enriched Assamese society, and we begin each day by taking his name. This malicious campaign against me has deeply hurt me on a personal level," he added.
Singhal also condemned what he termed as an "insult to public sentiments" through the spread of falsehoods. He demanded an apology from the journalist responsible for the allegation, warning that if an apology was not issued immediately, he would be compelled to take legal action.