Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi has reacted to the controversy that arose following a statement made by former AAMSU General Secretary Rezaul Karim Sarkar, urging him to be careful and responsible while speaking from public platforms.
The issue surfaced a day after Sarkar joined the Congress party at a public programme. His remarks, made while talking about the idea of a “Bor Asom” or Greater Assam, led to confusion and strong reactions in some sections, triggering a political and social debate.
Addressing the media after a large joining programme and public meeting in Morigaon, Gogoi said that public figures must choose their words carefully, especially when speaking on sensitive subjects related to identity and unity. He said that Sarkar’s words and their intended meaning appeared to have been changed or misunderstood, which led to unnecessary confusion. 
Gogoi made it clear that the Congress party believes in unity, harmony and inclusive development across Assam. He said that the vision of “Bor Asom” should always be explained in a way that promotes togetherness and avoids misinterpretation. Appealing to Sarkar, the APCC president said that greater care must be taken in the future to ensure that statements made at public events do not create misunderstanding or tension.
The matter also drew a response from Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly. Saikia appealed to Sarkar to refrain from making such remarks in the future and stressed the need for responsible speech in the present political climate. He said leaders should remain mindful of the social impact of their words, particularly when addressing issues of identity and development.
Responding to the controversy, Sarkar himself expressed regret over the statement he made on Sunday. He said that his remarks had been interpreted in different ways by different groups and clarified that his intention had been misunderstood. Sarkar stated that his core idea was the development of a “Bor Asom” built on harmony, equality and balanced growth.
Explaining his position, Sarkar said that Assam stretches from Sadiya to Dhubri, and includes both the Barak Valley and the Brahmaputra Valley. He said that building a greater Assam means ensuring development and harmony across all these regions, without discrimination.
“My goal is to strengthen the larger Assamese identity by keeping humanity at the centre,” Sarkar said. He added that development should reach every corner of the state so that no region or community feels left behind. According to him, this was the true meaning of his statement, and not what some sections had assumed.
Sarkar further clarified that he was only speaking about balanced development across districts such as Sivasagar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta and Tinsukia. He said his intention was not to compare or change the identity of any place, but to highlight that development should be uniform across all regions.
“I never meant that one place should become like another,” Sarkar said. “I was only talking about harmony and equal growth. Only when all areas develop together can the idea of a greater Assam become a reality.”
