Himanta Sarma's 'unconditional apology' after linking cancer to 'divine justice'
After two days of facing backlash over his comments linking cancer to "divine justice", Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has offered an 'unconditional apology' while accusing the media and opposition of distorting his statements. "I reiterate at no point my statement was intended to cause any pain," he wrote. But did he actually say what the media claims he said? Here's a report.
What did he exactly say?
On November 21, local media reported that Sarma was distributing appointment letters to teachers at an event in Guwahati. While addressing them, Sarma said, "No one can compensate for the wrath of the Invisible One. People often wonder why this young person got cancer, or why someone else had an accident, but if you observe the background, you'll realize it's divine justice, nothing else."
Major backlash on social media after Sarma's speech
The comments triggered major criticism and reached international publications, including the Independent and BBC. "Sir, with due respect, laws of karma surely should not be used to explain cancer in today's day and age," tweeted Rajdeep Sardesai. "Innumerable families have gone through the unspeakable pain & trauma of Cancer.I wouldn't wish it even upon worst enemies.Shame on you Mr. Min," said journalist Smita Sharma.
'I simply asked teachers to work sincerely'
In the minister's defense
The medical superintendent at Assam's Dr B Barooah Cancer Institute, BB Borthakur, says it is no controversy. "I don't think the minister made the remark on scientific basis but in a social context. It is not a matter to be given so much importance."
Sarma issues apology over 'mindless controversy triggered by political desperados'
Sarma, in response, insisted he was "being quoted out of context" and called it an "absolutely mindless controversy triggered by few political desperados". "While I'm not against science, I believe there's strong merit in spirituality." Talking about his "passion to work on containing cancer," he enlisted his contributions to the anti-cancer fight. He ended with an apology "to those who might have been hurt".
Not the first time for Sarma
This isn't the first controversial statement Sarma has made. Earlier, while talking about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, he had asked Assamese people to choose their enemy: "the 1-1.5L people or the 55L people?" Reports suggested he implied Hindu and Muslim migrants from Bangladesh. Another time, he criticized madrassas for their weekly Friday offs, saying it happens only in Pakistan and Bangladesh, "not in India".
