“When in India, talk about Ayodhya and Ajmer Sharif, not Kaaba and Madina": Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, April 25, made sharp remarks targeting Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sayoni Ghosh over her comments and said that when in India, one should speak about Ayodhya and Ajmer Sharif. 

Responding to Ghosh’s statements, Sarma criticised references to religious sites outside India, stating that those speaking about Kaaba and Medina should instead focus on places within the country. He asserted that public discourse in India should centre around domestic religious and cultural sites such as Ayodhya and Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Sarma further described such remarks as indicative of a “mental problem,” intensifying the political rhetoric.

The Assam Chief Minister also commented on a separate issue concerning food habits in West Bengal, engaging in a competitive remark over the consumption of non-vegetarian food. He challenged Ghosh and his political opponents to dine with him, claiming he would consume more food than them. Sarma said he would be eating “machher jhol” on the 4th of May.
 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, April 25 refuted claims that Bengali Hindus are being held in detention centres in Assam, asserting that no such instance exists in the state.

Addressing remarks attributed to leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Sarma said claims regarding the detention of Bengali Hindus were “completely baseless” and misleading.

“There is not a single Bengali Hindu in detention camps in Assam. If there is even a single Bengali Hindu, I am ready to resign today,” the Chief Minister stated, underlining his position on the issue.

Sarma further referred to legal provisions governing the identification and expulsion of illegal immigrants, citing the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950. He said the legislation empowers authorities to act against suspected infiltrators within a stipulated timeframe.

“The Supreme Court has granted Assam significant authority under this law. If a Deputy Commissioner determines that a person is an illegal immigrant, action can be taken within 48 hours,” he said.

The Chief Minister also argued that such legal provisions should be expanded beyond Assam. He maintained that extending the framework to other states would strengthen mechanisms to address illegal immigration, while also alleging that existing provisions offer protection to certain communities.