Protest erupts in Assam's Sivasagar after Himanta Biswa Sarma's claims on Gaurav Gogoi's alleged Pak link, effigy burnt

Political temperatures rose sharply in Assam on Monday, February 9, as protests broke out in Sivasagar following Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s press conference on Sunday, alleging links between Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi and Pakistan. The agitation culminated in the burning of Gogoi’s effigy near the historic Talatal Ghar monument.

The protest was led by the Rashtriya Sangrami Sena, Assam, which organised a demonstration accusing the Congress leader of maintaining alleged connections with India’s arch-rival Pakistan. Protesters raised strong slogans including “Gaurav Gogoi down down” and “Arrest Gaurav Gogoi,” reverberating across the Talatal Ghar premises.

Addressing the gathering, leaders of the organisation alleged that Gogoi, despite being an elected Member of Parliament from Assam and drawing his salary from the Indian exchequer, had links with Pakistan—an allegation they termed “completely unacceptable” and against national interest.

The Rashtriya Sangrami Sena demanded immediate legal action and arrest of Gaurav Gogoi, asserting that issues related to national security should not be treated lightly. The organisation warned that protests would intensify across Assam if strict action was not initiated.