‘Polarisation inevitable for Assam’s survival’: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 27, said that Assam is a polarised society and asserted that such polarisation would continue to be a political reality in the state in the coming decades.

Speaking on the issue, Sarma said that the polarisation he referred to was not along religious lines but between “Assamese and Bangladeshi.” He clarified that there was no conflict with Assamese Muslims and maintained that the focus was on identifying and resisting what he described as Bangladeshi infiltration. The Chief Minister said he did not believe in “surrendering” and stressed the need for continued resistance to protect Assam’s identity.

Commenting on the Special Revision (SR), Sarma said he was satisfied that the exercise was drawing strong reactions. He stated that he had instructed BJP workers to file complaints against the ‘Miyas’ as part of the process, adding that the aim was to demonstrate that there was still resistance within Assam. He said the complaints were filed on his directions.

In a sharp attack on Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, Sarma criticised him for not attending the Republic Day celebrations. Questioning Gogoi’s absence, the Chief Minister alleged that members of Gogoi’s family were foreign nationals. “How can he come? He has a family of four, out of which three are foreigners,” Sarma claimed.

The Chief Minister further alleged that Gogoi does not participate in events linked to national pride, claiming that he is “partially a UK citizen for all practical purposes” and “sympathises with Pakistan.” “That is his character, and that is his identity,” Sarma said.