New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked a significant controversy by declaring that he will not allow Bengali-speaking Muslims to dominate the state. Speaking during a session in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Sarma firmly stated that he is not in the competition for minority votes, a remark that led to the Congress walking out in protest, alleging communal overtones.Chief ministers controversial remarksDuring the discussion on the Oppositions adjournment motion, which covered several pressing issues including the rape of minors and the targeting of Bengali Muslims in Assams Sivasagar district, Sarma made his stance clear. I will take sides. What can you do I will not let Miya (Muslims) take over Assam, he declared. The term Miya refers to Muslims of Bengali origin, who are often accused of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.Sarma further challenged the Opposition, stating, Let them compete for minority votes. I am not in the competition.कांग्रेसियों को जितना चिल्लाना और चीखना है, वे कर लें मैं असम को मिया भूमि नहीं बनने दूंगा। pic.twitter.com/33buJ6QbAO— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 27, 2024Oppositions accusationsOpposition leaders Rafikul Sahab and Debabrata Saikia highlighted concerns that people might migrate from Lower Assam to Upper Assam, to which Sarma responded strongly, questioning the implications of such a movement. You Miya Muslims will take the entire Lower Assam We will not let that happen, no, never, he asserted.These comments come just days after Opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi accused the BJP of attempting to recreate the communal tensions seen in Gujarat in 2002 within Assam. His claims were based on reports that certain organizations have allegedly been threatening Muslims in Upper Assam, urging them to leave the area.Call for action by oppositionIn response to these tensions, the All-India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has written to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, demanding action against unknown groups issuing threats to the Muslim community in Upper Assam. Opposition leader Debabrata Saikia criticized the Chief Ministers statements, pointing out the alarming rise in violent crimes, including rape, dacoity, and murder, under BJP rule. Saikia argued that Sarmas comments were communal and that the statistics do not support the narrative that only one community is involved in criminal activities. The Congress, in protest, walked out of the assembly session.
