“Trouble the Miya Muslims by any means. If they face trouble, they will go from Assam.” “All the complaints that have come were under my instructions… I have instructed them to do this so that they suffer and understand that the Assamese community is still alive.” “If the fare is Rs 5 in a rickshaw, give them Rs 4. Only if they face trouble will they leave Assam.”
These are things Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said recently while speaking to the media. Now tell me, how should we react to this? Before reacting, I want to say something about two very eminent politicians of Assam—the late Hiteswar Saikia and Tarun Gogoi—who were two former Chief Ministers. These two played an important role in giving Himanta Biswa entry into politics. Without their support, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
Anyway, what has happened has happened. Now, coming to the main point. In what context did Himanta Biswa Sarma say these things? In the backdrop of Assam’s foreign nationals issue. Who do we mean by foreign nationals? Those people who came to Assam after March 25, 1971, regardless of caste or religion. So all the ‘Miyas’ whom Himanta Biswa continues to hurl abuses at are not foreigners. Only those who came after 1971 are foreigners. Therefore, Himanta Biswa has no right to demean and insult all Miyas.
What was Himanta Biswa doing when he was a minister in the Congress? What has he been doing for the past 10 years as a minister and Chief Minister in the BJP? Why didn’t he take steps to deport the foreigners lawfully? Hasn’t his government opened the doors for foreigners through the CAA and laid out the red carpet for them?
Can a Chief Minister say the things Himanta Biswa has been saying day in and day out? Are the DGP of Assam and the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court listening? Forget the Chief Minister—even can any ordinary person say such things against a particular community? Is there something called the rule of law in this country? If yes, why don’t you take suo motu notice of such blatant violations of the rule of law? Isn’t everyone equal in the eyes of the law? And what about the Election Commission of India? What do these public statements by Assam’s Chief Minister amount to? Have you heard them or not? When was the following removed from our country’s Constitution?
“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
It hasn’t been removed yet. So how can Himanta Biswa, as Chief Minister, say such things? Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that he instructed the DCs to take action against the Miyas. Isn’t there a single DC in Assam who could stand up to him and say, “Chief Minister Sir, the instructions you have given are not in accordance with the rules, not legal; please forgive us, we cannot follow your instructions”? Alas, when the keeper of the law openly becomes its breaker, what more can one say! Can there be anything more shameful than this? I am also asking the sensible people in the Bharatiya Janata Party—tell me yourselves: Do you support these statements of Himanta Biswa?
Finally, I would like to address the people of the Miya community. Himanta Biswa Sarma has insulted all of you by saying these things. You are no less Indian than Himanta Biswa in any way. Assam is not his personal property. Everyone has equal rights here. Our dignity is a bit higher than Himanta Biswa Sarma’s—because we never say such things against anybody. So, how should you respond to these insults and innuendos hurled at you by Himanta Biswa Sarma? I think you should respond in two ways: (1) Drag Himanta Biswa Sarma to the court of law, and (2) Think about how you will repay this insult in the upcoming elections. But under no circumstances should you get agitated or provoked. Himanta Biswa Sarma is saying these provocative things to incite you in every possible way. If you get provoked and indulge in untoward incidents, you would be playing right into his hands—that’s exactly what he’s hoping for. So respond calmly. Please don’t take to the streets. Take the legal and political path only.
Finally, after analysing Himanta Biswa Sarma’s statements, I have come to a conclusion. Do you know what it is? Himanta Biswa Sarma has introduced one scheme after another—Arunodoi, this and that—and he sings only of development day and night. If he has given so much and done so much development, then why is he ranting like this, relying solely on Hindu votes? Or is it that, with elections approaching, Himanta Biswa is getting a little nervous? Apart from the Miya issue and Gaurav Gogoi’s Pakistan visit, does he have no other issues? Is his frustration growing because people are not paying heed to his provocative statements?