Agartala: After his shocking comment on Punjabis and Jats, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb, on Tuesday tendered an apology through Twitter.

It may be recalled that the CM had said: “Haryana has many Jats. Haryana’s Jats lack brains but are brawny. They can’t match Bengalis in brains. Bengalis are known all over India for being intelligent.”

A 50-second video of the Chief Minister’s speech was posted online by Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, who said that the comments of the CM is indicative of “the mindset of the BJP”.

After criticism, now Deb took to twitter and apologised.

“Several of my friends are from this community. If anyone has been hurt by my comments, I am apologetic about that. At an event at the Agartala Press Club, I had mentioned the views of some people about our Jat and Punjabi brothers. My intention was not to hurt any community. I am proud of both Punjabi and Jat communitirs. I have lived among them for a long time.” he said in a series of Hindi tweets.

Such controversies are not new to the CM. In November last year he claimed the Mughals intended to destroy Tripura’s cultural wonders of the state by “bombing” its art and architecture.

The year before, he had claimed that the internet and satellite communication existed in the days of the Mahabharata. 

Biplab Deb took over as Tripura Chief Minister in 2018 after the BJP ended three decades of Left rule.