Often in the heat of the moment, people utter things on which they have to retract later, and apologise for the same. Something similar happened with Swapan Sadhan Bose, on Thursday, when the Mohun Bagan President had to apologise for his sexist remarks during the Calcutta Football League match, a day before.

In a statement released by the former Rajya Sabha MP, he said that he didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s remarks. In his statement, he said, “I was ecstatic after we won the league for the first time in 8 years yesterday. In that excitement, I said a few things which I did not mean to say. I did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments on a happy occasion. My words have hurt my followers/loved ones. I am deeply saddened. I apologise deeply to them.”

During the Calcutta League match between Mohun Bagan and Calcutta Customs, the former was leading 2-0 at the halftime. In the talk-show during the half-time, Bose compared his side’s victory to the happiness one experiences ‘when a son is born’.

During the half-time, Bose had said, “Daughters were being born for the last seven years, suddenly a son has been born. How would you like it if that was the case with you? I have the same feeling.”

Swapan Sadhan Bose had to issue a detailed clarification, a day after his comments were blistered. In his complete statement, Swapan Bose said, “After yesterday’s league win, I feel guilty about the views expressed during an emotional moment I was having after the victory. There are daughters-in-law and granddaughters in my house. So, I know the importance of women. It is my personal belief, that son and daughters are equal; irrespective of gender, they are the soul of a family. I take back my words I would again like to say that I did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2018 10:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).