Assam: Himanta accuses AIUDF supporters of sloganeering 'Pakistan Zindabad', AIUDF denies

Guwahati: Alleged "Pakistan zindabad" sloganeering in Assam's Silchar have created a row on social media. The controversy erupted when Assam Health, Education, and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to share a video in which he alleged that All Indian United Democratic Front (AIUDF) were hailing muslim-majority Pakistan.

Sharing a video of the alleged sloganeering, Sarma wrote: "Look at the brazenness of these fundamentalists anti-national people who are shouting PAKISTAN ZINDABAD while they welcome MP Badruddin Ajmal. This thoroughly exposes INC India which is encouraging such forces by forging an alliance. We shall fight them tooth & nail. Jai Hind."

This video -- reportedly shot at the Silchar Airport yesterday -- has enraged the public, who have been quick to demand punishment for those hailing the enemy nation.

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Sarma and the BJP party have been at loggerheads with the All Assam United Democratic Front (AIUDF) over the banning of madrasas in the state. While Sarma has said that madrasas in the state. The alliance between the Congress and the AIUDF parties has been another bone of contention.

Some netizens have called the Minister out for spreading "misinformation" and "communalizing" the issue. They claimed that the people at the airport were, in fact, hailing AIUDF politician Aziz Khan.

"Supporters of Aziz Khan shouting Aziz Khan zindabad..listen carefully. The incident occurred yesterday in front of @CISFHQrs and @assampolice hy weren't it reported earlier (sic)," wrote a Twitter user.

AIUDF leader Aminul Islam, reacting to the issue, claimed that the BJP party is attempting to smear the AIUDF ahead of the polls in 2021. "This is a conspiracy. This is a political conspiracy. We want an investigation into the same. The BJP, because it fears the Congress-AIUDF alliance will form the Government, is trying to defame us with these communal allegations," he said, adding, "It is clear that what the people said is 'Aziz Khan' zindabad and not 'Pakistan zindabad' as alleged."

So what was actually being said? 'Pakistan Zindabad' or 'Aziz Khan Zindabad'? Share your thoughts.

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