Himanta Biswa Sarma Defends Karimganj’s Name Change to Sribhumi, Slams Opposition Critics

Guwahatii:Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has come out in strong defense of the state’s decision to rename Karimganj district as Sribhumi, invoking the legacy of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Sarma addressed criticism over the name change, stating, “They can criticize me, but why target Rabindranath Tagore? In Assam, why should a district bear the name of an unknown individual? This change should have happened long ago.”The renaming has sparked debate, with some opposition members questioning the rationale behind the move. Sarma, however, emphasized the cultural and historical importance of honoring Tagore’s contribution to the region. The controversy has reignited discussions on the broader issue of renaming places and its potential effect on local identity.Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi was among the most vocal critics, calling the name change an “impulsive and dangerous” decision. He argued, “Renaming places and rewriting history is reckless. The government should concentrate on real development, not on changing district names.” Gogoi further accused Sarma of focusing on trivial issues, claiming the state needed progress in infrastructure and governance rather than such symbolic changes.