Himanta Biswa Sarma: Would Assam remain Assam if Sivasagar and Tinsukia turn into Dhubri?

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, January 12 slammed Congress over a statement made by the newly inducted Congress leader Rezaul Sarkar, asserting that the state would not allow any region to descend into what he described as a breakdown of social order.

Addressing the media, Sarma claimed that residents from Dhubri had repeatedly approached him with distress, alleging incidents of intimidation and unrest during Eid celebrations. Referring to alleged incidents involving beef consumption, the Chief Minister said he was compelled to personally intervene to prevent the situation from escalating.

“People from Dhubri come to me and cry. I had to go there during Eid and issue shoot-at-sight orders to restore order,” Sarma said, adding that large quantities of beef were allegedly procured and consumed in Dhubri town, which he noted has a Hindu-majority population. He warned that such developments, if left unchecked, could threaten Assam’s social fabric.

Raising concerns over the potential spread of similar situations to other districts, Sarma questioned whether Assam would remain unchanged if towns like Sivasagar or Tinsukia were to face comparable circumstances. “If Sivasagar becomes Dhubri, if Tinsukia becomes Dhubri, would Assam remain Assam?” he asked.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came in response to a controversial statement made by newly inducted Congress leader Rezaul Sarkar. Following his induction into the Congress, Sarkar reportedly said that he would transform Dhubri into Tinsukia and Sivasagar, while also turning Tinsukia and Sivasagar into Dhubri—comments that drew sharp criticism from the ruling BJP.

Sarma strongly condemned the statement, interpreting it as an attempt to provoke communal tension and undermine social harmony. He reiterated that his government would take strict action against any individual or group attempting to disturb peace or polarise communities.

The comments have further intensified the political confrontation between the BJP-led government and the Congress in Assam, particularly ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with both sides trading sharp barbs over governance, communal harmony, and law and order.