In a significant political statement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted on Tuesday that the practice of polarization between Assamese people and Bangladeshi migrants is crucial for the survival of indigenous communities in the state for the next three decades. Speaking to media representatives in Guwahati, the Chief Minister clarified that this polarization is not based on religious lines but on ethnic and national origins.
Clarifying the Nature of Polarization
Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that the political divide is specifically between Assamese individuals and Bangladeshis, rather than between Hindus and Muslims. He stated, "The polarization is not between Hindu and Muslim. The polarisation is between Assamese and Bangladeshis. That is the difference. We don't fight with Assamese Muslims. We only fight with Bangladeshi Muslims." He defended this stance by referencing a Supreme Court observation that recognized an invasion, arguing that protecting land under such circumstances is both a legal and ethical imperative.
Historical Context and Political Justification
Sarma criticized the previous Congress government for not taking action against what he termed the 'Miya people'—a pejorative label for Bangladesh-origin migrant Muslims in Assam. He claimed that if the Congress had addressed this issue during their tenure, Assam would not be facing its current demographic challenges. "As an Assamese, I don't want to surrender. So, I'll fight and I'll polarise," he declared, underscoring his commitment to this political strategy.
Strategic Actions During Special Revision
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that objections raised against Bangladesh-origin Muslims during the ongoing Special Revision (SR) in Assam have caused discomfort among some groups. He revealed that he has instructed BJP workers to file numerous complaints using Form 7 as part of the SR process. "I have advised my BJP workers to give more and more complaint filing Form 7 during the SR so that a kind of people realize that there is still some kind of resistance in the state," Sarma explained.
He added, "All the complaints have been raised on my order. There is nothing to hide in it. I have instructed them to do this so that they suffer and understand that the Assamese community is still alive." This approach, according to Sarma, is intended to make migrant communities experience hardship, potentially encouraging them to leave Assam.
Open Stance and Future Plans
Sarma made it clear that he and the BJP are openly opposed to Bangladesh-origin migrants, stating, "Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP are against these people directly. This is not an issue. We are not hiding it. We are saying it openly." He highlighted the expanding presence of these migrants, noting that they have even entered upper Assam areas, which he views as a threat to the state's existence.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister indicated that the actions during the SR are merely preliminary. He anticipates that during the subsequent Summary Revision (SIR), four to five lakh votes associated with the Miya community will be eliminated. "When SIR will take place in Assam, four- five lakh Miya votes will be cut. Let the Congress abuse me as much as they want. My job is to make these people suffer," he asserted.
Defending the Campaign as Essential for Assam
Regardless of criticism from the Congress party, Sarma vowed to continue the campaign against Bangladesh-origin migrant Muslims, framing it as a matter of Assam's survival. "It does not matter for him how many abuses Congress hurls at him but the campaign against the Bangladesh origin migrant Muslims will continue as this is a question of Assam's very existence," he reiterated.
Concluding his remarks, Sarma justified the timing and necessity of these measures, saying, "When will we be careful if not now? That's why no Assamese people have faced trouble in the SR." This statement reinforces his view that proactive polarization is essential to safeguard indigenous interests in the face of perceived demographic threats.
