Assam Governor P.B. Acharya has stoked a controversy after he reportedly said that “Hindustan is for Hindus,” drawing sharp criticism from the Congress which alleged that it was reflective of the divisive ideology of the RSS and the BJP which has led to Dadri-like incidents.
Mr. Acharya’s attempt on Sunday to clarify the alleged remarks he made on Saturday at a book launch function further stirred the row after he said that “Muslims in India are free to go anywhere....If they want to go to Pakistan, Bangladesh, they are free to go.”
“Hindustan is for Hindus. There is nothing wrong with that. Hindus from different countries can stay here. They cannot be outsiders,” he said. Mr. Acharya clarified that what he meant was that all Indian-origin people, including Muslims, persecuted in any foreign lands were welcome in the country.
The Congress on Sunday termed Mr. Acharya’s remarks “unfortunate and shocking” as they came from a person holding a “constitutional post.” “You have been hearing from MPs, MLAs, ministers and now from Governor,” he said.
