Assam CM Apologizes for Misinterpreted Bhagavad Gita Verse, Amidst Caste Controversy

Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, issued an apology following a controversy sparked by the misinterpretation of a ‘shloka’ from the Bhagavad Gita. Sarma, known for his daily Bhagavad Gita ‘shloka’ shares on social media, acknowledged that a team member had erroneously posted Chapter 18 verse 44 with an incorrect translation, leading to an uproar. The translated post suggested that it was the duty of Shudras to serve other castes, prompting opposition leaders to accuse Sarma of promoting caste divisions.

Expressing regret, Sarma promptly removed the post upon noticing the mistake, emphasizing that his routine practice of sharing verses was to promote positivity. “If the deleted post has offended anyone, I sincerely apologize,” he stated. Despite the misinterpretation, Sarma highlighted that Assam stood as an exemplar of a casteless society, emphasizing that the incorrect translation was an inadvertent error.

Amidst the controversy, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, criticized Sarma, highlighting the obligation of a constitutional position to ensure equal treatment for all citizens. Owaisi emphasized that such misinterpretations contradicted the principles of equality and reflected adversely on the treatment of Assam’s Muslim community in recent years, adding a dimension of Hindutva being contrary to principles of liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice.

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