'Education Jihad' remarks by Rejaul Sarkar, a threat to social harmony: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, January 17 accused the Congress party of compromising Assamese identity and dignity by remaining silent over what he termed as “extremely dangerous and objectionable” remarks made by Rejaul Karim Sarkar, a former member of the All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU), who resigned from Congress party after 60 hours of joining. 

Addressing the ongoing controversy that has dominated public discourse over the past week, CM Sarma said the government has no objection to anyone joining or supporting the Congress, calling it a personal political choice. However, he asserted that the issue escalated the moment Rejaul Karim, on the very day of joining the party, delivered a speech that sought to draw alarming comparisons between Assam’s historically significant districts and Dhubri.

According to the Chief Minister, Rejaul Karim’s assertion that Jorhat, Tinsukia and Sivasagar would be turned into Dhubri — and Dhubri into Sivasagar — was deeply provocative and rooted in a “distorted understanding of Assam’s demographic and cultural realities.”

Sarma said while development of Dhubri is welcome, equating it with Sivasagar is neither realistic nor acceptable. He alleged that nearly 80 per cent of Dhubri’s population consists of people who migrated from Bangladesh at various points, some of whom later acquired Indian citizenship, leading to what he described as a steady erosion of Assamese identity and culture in the district.

In contrast, Sarma highlighted Sivasagar’s unparalleled cultural, historical and spiritual importance, calling it the cradle of Assamese civilisation. He cited the launch of the Arunoday welfare scheme from Sivasagar, the origins of the Assamese language renaissance, the legacy of Srimanta Sankardev, the foundation of the Ahom kingdom by Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha, and the global recognition of Charaideo Maidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“How can Sivasagar ever be turned into Dhubri?” Sarma asked, calling such claims both absurd and inflammatory.

The Chief Minister further expressed alarm over Rejaul Karim’s alleged remarks on “education jihad” and claims that future Deputy Commissioners of Sivasagar, Jorhat and Guwahati would be from Bangladesh, warning that such statements pose a serious threat to social harmony and national security.

Sarma questioned why Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who was present on the same stage during the speech, failed to immediately object or disassociate the party from the remarks. He said the Congress leadership should have acted decisively and expelled Rejaul Karim, instead of allowing him to resign voluntarily and later emerge as a “hero” within minority circles.

“By remaining silent, Gaurav Gogoi gave him an opportunity to become a hero at the cost of Assamese culture, pride, dignity and self-respect,” Sarma alleged.

Drawing parallels, the Chief Minister recalled a previous controversy in which a Congress leader allegedly suggested reserving 47 Assembly seats for minority or Miya Muslim communities. Sarma reiterated that reservation on religious lines is unconstitutional, noting that independent India does not permit such practices. He questioned the Congress over the status of the promised show-cause notice, pointing out that no action has been made public even after a month.

“By remaining silent, the Congress has bowed before one particular community,” CM Sarma claimed.

Sarma also reiterated his earlier allegations regarding the alleged links between a sitting Assam MP and Pakistan, stating that he would place documentary evidence before the public before the end of the month. He warned that appeasement politics, combined with what he called “secret foreign links,” presents a dangerous trajectory for Assam’s political future.

Emphasising unity and resilience, the Chief Minister said Assam’s indigenous communities have endured significant challenges and worked hard to rebuild and strengthen themselves. He expressed confidence that the people of Assam would stand by those safeguarding the state’s identity and sovereignty.

“I am confident that the people of Assam are with us, and once again, we will emerge victorious,” Sarma said, concluding his address.