New Delhi: Senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Nazrul Islam issued an apology on Wednesday following backlash over his derogatory statement made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Islam clarified his remark, a day after the state BJP demanded Islam’s arrest. The JMM central committee member said, “I am an educated person and a professor. I cannot speak such words against the prime minister. But if, for some reason, my words have accidentally hurt anyone, I sincerely apologise.”
The JMM leader further said, "I refute the statement. 'Bury 400 feet below' remark is being attributed to me. The statement is being distorted by people. I had said '400 sey pehle gaanth baandh denge'. I had spoken about ousting him from power. I apologise if someone's sentiment has been hurt", as per ANI.
BJP Reacts On Nazrul's Remark
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla reacted sharply on the comment, saying, "JMM leader & INDI member Nazrul Islam is openly threatening to murder Prime Minister. This person is talking about killing the country's PM and burying him 400 feet under the ground!"
He further added, "Seeing their defeat approaching, all the parties of the INDI alliance and their leaders have lost their mental balance". Shehzad further urged Election Commission to take cognizance of the matter.
The row erupted after Nazrul Islam, during a public meeting in Sahibganj, allegedly said that he would "bury PM Modi 400 feet beneath the earth."
It prompted the BJP's Sahibganj unit to file a complaint with the police against him on Wednesday. The JMM said that the party does not support such remarks by any leader, reported PTI.