Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi Condemns Assam CM Himanta Sarma's 'Miya Muslims' Statements
Congress Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi, representing Assam's Jorhat constituency, launched a scathing critique against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday. Gogoi accused Sarma of misusing the name of the Supreme Court to justify his controversial remarks regarding 'Miya Muslims' and labeled his claims as a blatant lie.
Gogoi's Social Media Post Highlights Alleged Dishonesty
In a detailed post on the social media platform X, Gogoi characterized Sarma's political approach as being defined by dishonesty and shamelessness. He alleged that the chief minister falsely attributed specific language to the apex court in the context of the Sarbananda Sonowal case, which pertains to immigration issues in Assam.
Dishonesty and shamelessness define Himanta Biswa Sarma's politics, Gogoi wrote. He has stooped so low that he is misusing the name of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. He claims to rely on the Hon'ble Court's 'own words' from the case of Sarbananda Sonowal. This is a blatant lie.
Accusations of Constitutional Violations and Contempt
Gogoi further elaborated that the language cited by Sarma does not originate from the Supreme Court. He asserted that the court neither authored nor adopted those words, and passing off an executive report as a judicial pronouncement constitutes deliberate contempt.
The Congress MP emphasized that for a chief minister holding a constitutional office to falsely attribute words to the Supreme Court is not merely contemptuous but represents an assault on constitutional propriety and institutional integrity. Gogoi urged the Supreme Court to take cognizance of Sarma's remarks, which he claimed violate the Constitution and misrepresent the court's stance.
Background: Sarma's Defense of 'Miya Muslim' Comments
Gogoi's criticism followed Sarma's defense of his comments on 'Miya Muslims' in relation to alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators. Sarma stated that the Supreme Court itself had expressed concern over the influx of immigrants into Assam, providing context for his remarks.
Responding to opposition criticism, Sarma told reporters, Those who have come from Bangladesh call themselves 'Miya'. I did not give them that name; it is they who call themselves that. He added, They only said to call them Miya. They wrote Miya poetry. If we say 'miya, miya', they can also call us 'Assamese, Assamese'; and what is the problem with that?
Sarma's Call for Critics to Review Supreme Court Observations
In a separate post on X, Sarma urged his critics to examine the Supreme Court's observations on Assam and illegal migration. He clarified that his remarks on 'Miyan'—a term used in Assam concerning Bangladeshi Muslim illegal migration—were not his own language, imagination, or political exaggeration but were grounded in the court's statements.
Those who are attacking me for my remarks on 'Miyan' should pause and read what the Supreme Court of India itself has said about Assam, Sarma wrote. This is not my language, not my imagination, and not political exaggeration.
The exchange underscores ongoing political tensions in Assam over immigration issues and the interpretation of judicial pronouncements, with both sides invoking constitutional and institutional integrity to bolster their arguments.
