People take umbrage at MLA Prashanta Phukan’s alleged communal remark

A Correspondent

Dibrugarh: Around 150 Muslim citizens, under the banner of Ujani Assam Muslim Kalyan Parishad, held a meeting under the presidentship of Shehir Ahmed, former headmaster of Bagmibar Nilamani Phukan Higher Secondary School, on Sunday at Haji Musafir Khana to condemn the alleged controversial remark made by MLA Prashanta Phukan regarding Muslims.

All speakers during the meeting expressed their astonishment as to how Phukan, who belonged to a well-cultured family, could pass such a communal remark. The speakers found it unpleasantly surprising as the MLA had grown up amidst people of different communities. Two resolutions were passed during the meeting. First dealt with seeking a clarification from Phukan regarding the statement in the next 24 hours, and the second involved the course of action to be taken in the event of the MLA not shedding light on the matter.

On the other hand, Phukan issued a clarification on Monday upon being approached by a delegation of the aforementioned organization expressing his regret over the statement which he made to certain private TV channels. Mincing no words, he made it clear that he had never intended to play religion-based politics, and that he was quoted out of context by the ones with vested interests. The MLA further added that his political party had been doing much for the minority communities of the region, and at the same time, was planning to do more.

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