Tripura CM apologises for remarks on Punjabis, Jats
Two days after stating that Punjabis and Jats were physically strong but less intelligent than Bengalis, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday (July 21) apologised for making the statement and said he was proud of both Punjabi and Jat communities, NDTV reported.
In a series of tweets, Deb said he had mentioned the views of some people about the Punjabis and Jats and his statement was not to hurt any community. “I am proud of both Punjabi and Jat communities. I have lived among them for quite some time,” he said in a tweet, apologising if his statement had hurt anyone’s feelings.
अगरतला प्रेस क्लब में आयोजित एक कार्यक्रम में मैंने अपने पंजाबी और जाट भाइयों के बारे मे कुछ लोगों की सोच का जिक्र किया था। मेरी धारणा किसी भी समाज को ठेस पहुंचाने की नहीं थी।
मुझे पंजाबी और जाट दोनों ही समुदायों पर गर्व है। मैं खुद भी काफी समय तक इनके बीच रहा हूँ।— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) July 21, 2020
“I always salute the contributions of the Punjabi and Jat communities in the freedom struggle of the country. And I can never imagine raising questions on the role played by these two communities in advancing India,” Deb tweeted.
Addressing a programme at the Agartala Press Club on Sunday (July 19), Deb said every community in India was known for its certain type and character. “For Bengal or Bengalis, it is said that one should not challenge them when it is regarding intelligence. Bengalis are known as very intelligent and it is their identity,” Deb was heard saying in the clip.
“When we talk about the people of Punjab, we say he’s a Punjabi, a Sardar. They may have less intelligence but are very strong. One can’t win them over by strength but with love and affection. A large number of Jats live in Haryana. So what do people say about Jats? They are less intelligent but are very healthy. If one challenges a Jat, he will bring a gun from his house,” Deb had said.
Posting the video on Twitter, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “The comments were indicative of the mindset of the BJP.”
शर्मनाक व दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण!
भाजपा के मुख्यमंत्री, त्रिपुरा,बिप्लब देव ने पंजाब के सिख भाइयों व हरियाणा के जाट समाज को अपमानित कर उनका “दिमाग़ कम” बताया
ये भाजपा की औछी मानसिकता है।
खट्टरजी व दुष्यंत चौटाला चुप्प क्यों हैं?
मोदी जी और नड्डाजी कहाँ हैं?
माफ़ी माँगे, कार्यवाही करें pic.twitter.com/whI8QOyKVk— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 20, 2020
(With inputs from agencies)
