P B Acharya, the Governor of Nagaland who is also in charge of Assam, on Sunday clarified his controversial remark made a day ago that “Hindustan is for Hindus” but courted a fresh controversy in the process.

Speaking in a press conference at Raj Bhavan, Acharya  said India is the most tolerant country and that all Indians, including Muslims who have been persecuted in foreign land, are welcome in this country. But he also uttered that Indian Muslims are also free to go to either Pakistan or Bangladesh. He also accused the media of misquoting him during a book launch here on Saturday.

“American Hindus or British Hindus or Hindus in other nations can go to their own countries. I am talking about those people who were originally from India. If they are persecuted, they will have to come to their own country and India has to accept them,” Acharya explained.

Acharya made the ‘Hindustan for Hindus’ remark after some reporters asked him over the controversy surrounding the Centre’s notification on allowing religious minorities from Pakistan and Bangladesh seeking shelter in India to escape persecution.