Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb apologised on Tuesday for his statements comparing Punjabis and Jats with Bengalis. Deb had stirred controversy by saying Punjabis and Jats are physically strong but less brainy while Bengalis are known to be very intelligent. In a series of tweets, the CM sought forgiveness for his remarks and said he is proud of people hailing from the two communities. Earlier, too, the chief minister had courted controversies on several occasions. In 2018, he said Internet and satellite television existed in the time of the Mahabharata.