Former Lok Sabha MP from Kokrajhar Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary speaks at the news conference in Guwahati on Sunday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Aug. 31: Two years ago, former Lok Sabha MP from Kokrajhar Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary called for a ban on Kirtan Ghoxa and Naam Ghoxa — two 16th century Vaishnavite scriptures composed by saint reformer Sankardev and Madhavdev, respectively.

Today, however, he expressed regret for his comments against the two scriptures.

In 2012, Bwiswmuthiary had sought the ban on the two scriptures complaining that several verses in them had derogatory references about the Bodo community.

Several scholars from both Bodo and Assamese communities had hit back saying the MP had grossly misinterpreted the stanzas of the two books.

Addressing a news conference here today, Bwiswmuthiary expressed his regret if his comments had hurt anybody’s sentiments.

Bwiswmuthiary had made the remark supporting a resolution adopted by the World Bodo Historical Society urging the Assam government to ban Kirtan Ghoxa and Naam Ghoxa.

A Guwahati-based businessman, Arun Pathak, filed a petition, which is now pending in Gauhati High Court, seeking action against Bwiswmuthiary and the president of World Bodo Historical Society, Janaklal Basumatary.

According to the petitioner, the accused persons had deliberately issued such remarks to create racial and religious ill will, enmity and disharmony between the Bodos/Mech and Assamese communities.

After Bwismuthiary expressed regret for his comments, Arun Pathak, who was also present at the news conference today, announced that he would withdraw his petition since all the indigenous communities of the state should remain united to protect their common interests.

Pathak’s counsel, Bhaskar Dev Konwar, said it was good that the case was settled out of court.

“Since Bwiswmuthiary has expressed regret, my client is also not interested in pursuing this case further as the two communities are not enemies of each other and must remain united.”