GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sparked controversy within the state meeting on Tuesday, saying he wouldn’t enable “miya Muslims” to “take over” the state.
Miya is a euphemism in Assam, typically used disparagingly to consult with immigrant Muslims of Bangladeshi origin. The neighborhood is going through public anger within the wake of a 14-year-old lady’s gangrape in Nagaon district on Aug 22.The crime occurred in an space predominantly inhabited by immigrant Muslims, a neighborhood central to the state’s anti-foreigner agitation of the Nineteen Eighties.
Throughout a dialogue on rising crimes in opposition to ladies, the CM remarked: “Whether or not knowingly or unknowingly, two opposition MLAs mentioned folks from decrease Assam will go to higher Assam anyway. I’ll take sides. What are you able to do about it? …Why will folks from decrease Assam go to higher Assam? In order that miya Muslims can take over Assam? We can’t let it occur.” The CM’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the opposition, with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accusing Sarma of making an attempt to polarise the general public and divide society at any time when he confronted challenges.
Gogoi mentioned the folks of Assam are “clever sufficient to see by way of the CM’s divisive rhetoric”, including: “They know he has failed as a CM. Assamese folks will stay united and vote out his smug govt in 2026.”
CM Sarma later clarified his stand, stressing that whereas residents have the authorized and constitutional proper to maneuver freely throughout the state, social order and sensitivity should be maintained throughout such tense occasions.
In response, AIUDF legislator Rafiqul Islam asserted that folks have the proper to conduct enterprise anyplace within the state and warned that threats to Muslims in higher Assam infringe upon constitutional rights.
