Hojai district Congress committee president Ardhendu Kumar Dey on Wednesday condemned the alleged comments by local BJP legislator Shiladitya Deb calling Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as “world’s biggest terrorist” and freedom fighters Bipin Chandra Pal and Khudiram Bose “extremists”.

Dey, a former minister, also played a video clip at the news meet purportedly showing Deb making the alleged inflammatory statements on January 25 at an event in Barpeta. “Why did he speak such words? Who gave him the authority to disrespect the legends of our freedom struggle?” he asked.

“I believe even Deb’s relatives will not accept such statements against iconic freedom fighters,” he added.

“Pal was a nationalist, writer, orator and social reformer. He always favoured a non-violent movement. Khudiram Bose was the youngest martyr of the freedom movement. Such statements against freedom fighters by an educated MLA are painful.

“It is disappointing that the public at the function clapped without understanding what the chief guest was saying,” Dey said.

He also slammed Deb for creating disharmony by his communal statements, adding that he was earlier targeting Muslims but now he was not even sparing freedom fighters.

“Because of his activities, BJP leaders fear to give him any portfolio,” Dey said.

He also said if the BJP really respects freedom fighters, it should immediately take stern action against Deb.

He said they were also mulling legal action in the matter.

Several efforts to contact Deb through calls and text messages failed to elicit any response. The legislator’s personal assistant, when contacted, said Deb was out of station.