Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has attracted criticism from opposition parties for blaming the Miya Muslims for the price surge of vegetables in the state capital.On being enquired about the inflated prices of vegetables in the Guwahati area, CM Sarma retorted, “Who are the people who have increased the prices of vegetables now It is Miya sellers who are selling vegetables at higher rates.”“Miya traders are charging high prices for vegetables from Assamese people in Guwahati, while the price of vegetables is lesser in the villages. If Assamese seller had been selling vegetables today, they would never have charged more from their fellow Assamese,” the Chief Minister continued, according to a report by BBC Hindi.Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is at it again. He says Miya (Muslim) vendors are responsible for soaring prices of vegetables in Guwahati. I urge Assamese youths to come forward & I assure you I would drive away all the Miya Muslim vegetable sellers from the city,” Sarma said. pic.twitter.com/Emp4GVMnUz— Mahmodul Hassan (@mhassanism) July 15, 2023Miya is a term that is used to refer to the Bengali-origin Muslim people who reside in Assam. These people account for 30% of Assams population, and a large percentage engage in selling vegetables and fish. Although Miya originated as a pejorative term, it has since been re-appropriated by the Muslim community as a moniker of pride.Will clear Miya vendors areas from Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa SarmaContinuing his tirade against Miya Muslims, the Chief Minister said that he would personally clear the vegetable and fruit markets under flyovers – which are dominated by the Miya community – so that local Assamese boys could get employment opportunities.He also insisted the indigenous communities give strong competition and push Miya traders out of jobs.Miya politicians, Owaisi criticise Biswa Sarma for Miya speechThe Chief Ministers comments have naturally not gone down well with the opposition parties and the Miya community, who have accused him of dividing even groceries on communal lines.Guwahati, Assam | CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Miya Muslims will not be allowed to sell vegetables and masala in Guwahati. The CM is the head of the state and such words coming from his mouth dont seem right. He should not have said this. I did not like this. By doing all… pic.twitter.com/kRi8ppGpZo— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, President of the Assam-based All India United Democratic Front and MP from Dhubri, said “The Chief Minister said the Miyas will not be allowed to sell vegetables and masala in Guwahati. Such words do not suit the head of a State. By saying this, he is trying to create a division between Muslims and the Assamese people.”देश में एक ऐसी मंडिली है जिसके घर अगर भैंस दूध ना दे या मुर्ग़ी अण्डा ना दे तो उसका इल्ज़ाम भी मियाँ जी पर ही लगा देंगे। शायद अपने “निजी” नाकामियों का ठीकरा भी मियाँ भाई के सर ही फोड़ते होंगे।आज कल मोदी जी की विदेशी मुसलमानों से गहरी यारी चल रही है, उन्हीं से कुछ टमाटर, पालक, आलू… https://t.co/1MtjCnrmDT— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) July 14, 2023All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also took a strong jibe at Sarma, saying, “There is such a mandali (group) in the country who will blame Miya ji even when the buffalo does not give milk or the hen does not lay eggs in their house. Perhaps they blame their personal failures on Miya bhai as well.”The Congress party in Assam also criticised the comments from Biswa Sarma, saying that it will inflame communal tensions in the state.
