The ongoing controversy surrounding Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has escalated as the Gauhati High Court has granted an extension for the state government to respond to petitions accusing him of hate speech against Muslims. The court has now given the Assam government another four weeks to formulate its response, amidst growing concerns over Sarma’s inflammatory comments.
During a recent hearing, prominent advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that Sarma has not only failed to cease his contentious statements but has continued to make what he termed “religiously provocative, incendiary, and needless remarks”. Singhvi highlighted that despite the High Court issuing a notice to the Chief Minister back in February, Sarma has persisted in targeting Muslim communities, particularly those of Bengali descent, through derogatory language such as “Miya.”
Advocate Singhvi emphasized that a person in Sarma’s position, as a constitutional authority, is expected to foster harmony and uphold the rule of law. He expressed concern that Sarma’s comments reflect a troubling bias, stating, “His entire thought process is reserved for a minority only,” and criticized the Chief Minister’s disregard for any regulatory or judicial standards. The petitioners have called for urgent interim orders from the court to curb Sarma’s speeches, pointing out that public figures hold a responsibility to maintain peace in society.
The court, however, refrained from issuing immediate restrictions on Sarma’s remarks, choosing instead to await the government’s response. The judges indicated that the state’s counsel must take the matter seriously and cannot sidestep the issues raised. The next hearing is scheduled for May 28, where the court will evaluate the government’s stance on the matter.
Sarma’s remarks targeting the Bengali-origin Muslim population have been a focal point of controversy since January, raising alarm among various civil rights groups and political opponents. The use of the term “Miya” has been criticized as derogatory and exclusionary, further polarizing community relations in the state. As Assam continues to grapple with complex ethnic and religious dynamics, the implications of Sarma’s statements and the court’s impending decisions could have far-reaching effects on social cohesion in the region.
