"Beef today at temples, pork tomorrow at mosques": Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, June 24 warned people from engaging in controversies by throwing beef in front of temples or else a similar reaction will be faced by the other section of the people.

Speaking to the media while visiting Hasilabeel in Goalpara district, the Chief Minister called for a complete halt to the sale and consumption of beef. “The business of beef must be stopped. If beef is allowed near temples today, tomorrow one might find pork (pig meat) near mosques. That is unacceptable. Everyone should consider turning vegetarian,” he remarked.

Touching on the sensitive issue of land encroachment, CM Sarma said the government is willing to engage in dialogue with individuals who have encroached on government land—provided they approach the administration through proper channels. “If encroachers submit formal applications, we are ready to speak with them,” he stated.

Targeting senior Congress leaders Rakibul Hussain and A.K. Rasid Alom, the Chief Minister accused them of hypocrisy. “How can they challenge the government when they themselves are living in glass houses? They’ve encroached on government land and even run brick kilns there. They should reflect on their own actions first,” he said.

He further emphasized that while every citizen has the right to travel across Assam, public figures should refrain from making remarks perceived as sympathetic to Pakistan or Bangladesh.