Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Faces Backlash for Discriminatory Remarks on 'Miya Muslims'
- Staff Writer
- Aug 28, 2024
- 2 min read
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stirred controversy with remarks targeting the Muslim community, specifically the "Miya Muslims." In a session on Tuesday, Sarma, who has previously faced criticism for alleged hate speech against Muslims, stated that he would not permit what he perceives as the increasing influence of Miya Muslims in Assam.
Sarma made these comments while addressing adjournment motions from Opposition parties—Congress, AIUDF, CPI(M), and Independent legislator Akhil Gogoi—focused on the state's law and order situation following the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Nagaon. During this broader discussion, Sarma's remarks shifted the focus to his divisive stance on religious and ethnic issues, saying, “I will take sides. What can you do about it?” and further asserting, “We won’t let Miya Muslims take over Assam.”
The term "Miya" was originally used pejoratively to describe Bengali-speaking Muslims, with many non-Bengali-speaking individuals associating it with Bangladeshi immigrants. Recently, some activists within the community have reclaimed the term as an act of defiant self-identification.
Sarma's comments have heightened political and communal tensions in Assam, shifting attention from urgent law and order concerns to contentious identity politics. Critics argue that Sarma's inflammatory rhetoric is aimed at consolidating support among Assamese Hindus while exacerbating communal divisions.
On August 28, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal condemned Sarma's statements as "pure communal venom," asserting that silence was not an appropriate response. Sibal criticized Sarma on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Himanta (Assam CM): ‘Will take sides. Will not let Miya Muslims take over all of Assam’. My take: Pure communal venom. Actionable. Silence not an answer.”
Sarma's remarks, coupled with the ongoing tensions in Assam, underscore a dangerous shift towards identity-based politics and a growing polarization within the state.