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Assam: The Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sparked the controversy when he made a controversial remark on the Muslim community on Saturday. Sarma said that the Bengali-speaking Muslim community, often referred to as "Miyaan" in delicate politics, is politically powerful because they vote unitedly. He says “our votes” are scattered as they are divided between various parties and ideologies. He has also discussed the land, illegal settlements, and political representation related to it.
Sarma said this at a time when assembly elections are to be held in Assam next year. He said the challenge was to bring back order to areas where Bengali-speaking Muslims were present in large numbers—and stressed the need to crack down on illegal settlements. He also said that Congress is accused of not being able to provide them with “land rights,” while the vote bank remained in their hands.
The term "Mian" is commonly used in Assam for Bengali-speaking Muslims, who are sometimes considered to be Bangladeshi immigrants. The Chief Minister used the term as an indication of a united vote bank. He said that just as this community comes together to vote, in the same way other communities will also have to get organized.
Some analysts are considering this as an example of divisive politics. Sarma has raised the issue of alleged encroachment on land, forest, and other government lands and said that action on this will continue. There is also a dispute among the public that targeting any group does not give a good signal for the democratic process.
Since the upcoming assembly elections are round the corner, such statements can heat up the political atmosphere. It may be sharply criticized by opposition parties, and public opinion may also be divided on this. It remains to be seen what effect this message of Sarma will have on the voters and in which direction the politics of Assam will move forward.
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