Guwahati, Feb 25: Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi on Wednesday addressed controversy over his recent Facebook Live session with social media figure Victor Das, stating that his intention was to offer emotional support and not to endorse Das’s language or style.
Speaking to reporters, Gogoi said Das had suffered deeply after being arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) and felt abandoned despite what he believed were sacrifices made in the name of justice for late singer Zubeen Garg. Gogoi claimed Das had not committed any anti-national act warranting the NSA and had expressed distress over the lack of public concern following his release.
Gogoi said Das contacted him while he was staying at an undisclosed location away from media attention and later visited him with family members. He acknowledged, however, that the tone during the subsequent live broadcast was inappropriate.
“You know how he is, his language. I have strictly told him not to use such slang,” Gogoi said, adding that he repeatedly cautioned Das during the session. He further claimed he was unaware that Das would begin a live broadcast and was taken by surprise.
Despite criticising the use of slang, Gogoi said he chose to remain during the session to support Das emotionally, describing him as mentally disturbed following personal setbacks, including the loss of his father. He said he scolded Das, telling him that using such language in his presence had “destroyed” him.
Gogoi added that when Das later accompanied him to Zubeen Kshetra and interacted with the media, he refrained from using any inappropriate language, expressing hope that he would recover and return to normalcy soon.
