Assam CM Himanta Sarma Invokes Gandhi's Ideals in Controversial Stance Against 'Miyas'
In a significant development that has stirred political discourse in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has drawn upon the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi to advocate for a strategy of non-cooperation against a specific community. Speaking at an event in Sivasagar district, Sarma articulated a vision to create an environment where Bengali-origin Muslims, whom he refers to as 'Miyas', would find it untenable to remain in the state.
Gandhian Principles Applied to Contemporary Issues
Himanta Biswa Sarma explicitly cited Mahatma Gandhi's teachings of non-cooperation and civil disobedience as methods to address what he perceives as illegal immigration from Bangladesh. "My idea is to create an atmosphere in which they cannot stay in Assam," Sarma stated, outlining a series of measures aimed at restricting access to essential resources for this group.
- Do not provide land to them
- Refuse to grant vehicles or rickshaws
- Avoid offering carts or other means of livelihood
The Chief Minister emphasized that such actions would compel individuals to leave voluntarily, rather than through forced evictions. He noted that daily expulsions of 20-30 people are already underway, but argued for a broader societal approach rooted in Gandhi's philosophy.
Distinguishing Between Communities
Sarma made a clear distinction between 'Miyas', whom he identifies as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, and the broader Muslim community in Assam. He urged residents to learn this distinction and apply it in their daily interactions. "In the name of Miya, don't harass Muslims; in the name of Muslims, don't give protection to Miyas," he advised, calling for a selective application of non-cooperation.
He further elaborated that this policy is intended to "push back" people to Bangladesh, while creating a system that makes it impossible for those remaining to sustain themselves. This, according to Sarma, aligns with Gandhi's principles of civil disobedience when applied by the Assamese people.
Congress Launches Counter-Campaign Alleging Land Grabs
On the same day, the Congress party launched a vigorous campaign against Chief Minister Sarma, accusing him and his family of widespread land grabbing across Assam. Led by Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, along with former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh, the campaign titled "Who is HBS?" was unveiled at a press conference.
Gogoi alleged that investigations have revealed approximately 12,000 bighas of land have been acquired in the names of Sarma's family members, violating established rules. The Congress leader described this as evidence of corruption and misgovernance, characterizing Sarma as "the most corrupt Chief Minister in the country."
- The party launched a website to collect public complaints and evidence regarding property acquisitions by Sarma's family
- They provided a phone number for submitting information about alleged land grabs
- Within hours, the website experienced technical issues, which Congress attributed to hacking attempts
Legal Retaliation and Political Standoff
In a swift response to the Congress allegations, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced his intention to initiate both civil and criminal defamation proceedings against key Congress leaders. He specifically named Gaurav Gogoi, Jitendra Singh Alwar, Bhupesh Baghel, and Debabrata Saikia as defendants in the case, which he plans to file on February 9.
Sarma dismissed the accusations as "false, malicious and defamatory," challenging the Congress leaders to present their evidence in court. "The era of hit-and-run politics is over," he declared, asserting that he would not be intimidated by what he termed "propaganda" and "political theatrics."
This exchange highlights the intensifying political rivalry in Assam as the state approaches upcoming Assembly elections. The controversy surrounding Sarma's remarks about 'Miyas' and the Congress's allegations of corruption have created a charged atmosphere, with both sides preparing for legal and political battles.
The invocation of Mahatma Gandhi's principles in this context adds a layer of historical and ideological complexity to the debate, raising questions about the interpretation and application of Gandhian philosophy in contemporary political conflicts.
