Agartala, October 22: Delhi-based content creator Amir Shokeen has issued an apology to the people of Tripura over a video he described as being made in jest, saying he never intended to hurt the sentiments of the people or insult the state.
In a video message, Shokeen folded his hands and sought forgiveness from the people of Tripura as well as Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, who had also tweeted about the controversy. Admitting his mistake, he said he was ready to submit a written apology and even visit the community personally to express regret if required.
“I had made a video about Tripura as a joke. But if any of my brothers from Tripura have been hurt by it, I sincerely apologise once again with folded hands. I request everyone to forgive me. The Chief Minister has also tweeted about the matter, and I apologise to him as well,” Shokeen said.
He claimed that the video was intended purely as humour and that he had no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings or insulting any state. He also said the controversial video had been deleted.
“I swear by my mother and by Allah that I did not know about Tripura as a state. I had some difficulty pronouncing the name, and the video was made only in a humorous manner. There was no other intention behind it,” he said.
Shokeen further stated that he had made more than 2,000 videos but had never deliberately tried to hurt anyone’s sentiments. Emphasising communal harmony, he said people from all communities should live together with mutual respect.
“Whether I say ‘Jai Baba Ki’ or ‘Jai Shri Ram’, I do so because I believe in taking everyone along. Brotherhood is above everything else,” he said.
Reiterating his apology, Shokeen said he was prepared to apologise in writing or appear before members of the community to express his regret personally. He appealed to the people of Tripura to forgive him, maintaining that he had made a mistake without any intention of causing offence.
The apology comes amid a controversy over his video concerning Tripura, which drew objections over its perceived impact on the sentiments of the state’s people.