Congress MP Criticizes Chief Minister’s Approach

Gaurav Gogoi, a Congress MP from Assam, strongly criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly attempting to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims in the state. Speaking at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai, Gogoi emphasized that the people of Assam have the wisdom and capability to reject such divisive tactics.

Assamese People Are Wiser Than Ever

When questioned about Sarma’s comments regarding the Uniform Civil Code and the state bill aimed at repealing Muslim marriage laws, Gogoi asserted, “Trust the people of Assam. They are much wiser and smarter than Himanta Biswa Sarma.” He expressed confidence that the electorate would hold the BJP accountable for its “divide and rule” politics in the upcoming 2026 elections.

Cultural Anomaly

Gogoi further stated, “The politics of Himanta Biswa Sarma and the current BJP government is an anomaly to the culture of Assam.” He claimed that Sarma’s actions and statements are out of sync even within his own party, suggesting that the Chief Minister is engaging in divisive politics internally as well.

Legislation and Controversies

In August, the Sarma government passed a bill to repeal a law governing the registration of marriages and divorces among Muslims in the state. Sarma claimed this move aims to abolish child marriages and move away from the “qazi” system, yet critics see it as a step towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code.

Additionally, Sarma has faced backlash for canceling the two-hour namaz break on Fridays in the Legislative Assembly, arguing that it would enhance productivity and eliminate colonial-era practices. His previous remarks predicting that Assam would become a Muslim-majority state by 2041 have further fueled controversy, as he stated that the growth of the Muslim population posed a “matter of life and death.”

Conclusion

Citing these comments, the Congress party continues to target Sarma, asserting that the people of Assam will see through such divisive politics and will respond accordingly in the upcoming elections.