After facing backlash for his controversial remarks, Sibsagar MLA and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi has apologised for stating that Muslims who vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are kafirs and would be punished by God.
Gogoi made the inflammatory comment while campaigning for panchayat polls in areas under the Naoboicha Assembly constituency in Assam’s Lakhimpur district on Saturday.
His remarks drew criticism not only from the opposition but also from his own party leaders, prompting him to issue a public apology in a late-night address.
“I deviated from progressive and rational thinking to make a statement I should not have. I made a mistake and seek forgiveness from all,” Gogoi said with folded hands.
A former activist turned politician, Gogoi was imprisoned in 2019 for allegedly inciting violence during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Assam. The Sibsagar MLA has been in the spotlight ahead of the upcoming panchayat elections scheduled for 2 and 7 May.
Earlier, he had criticised the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), led by Badruddin Ajmal, calling it the BJP’s “B-team” and accusing it of enabling the ruling party’s divisive religious politics. He also described Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as a leader who “thrives on creating social divisions.”
The Raijor Dal leader further targeted his own alliance partner, the Congress, accusing its leadership of violating coalition ethics—particularly in Sivasagar district. He even insinuated that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi had political ties with the BJP.
