Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responds to criticism over his remarks on infiltrators, stating that discussing Hindus does not equate to targeting Muslims, amid tensions with Jharkhand’s leadership.
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed criticism regarding his comments on infiltrators in India during a public address on November 2. Sarma asserted that his remarks have been misinterpreted and questioned why his statements evoke such strong reactions. “Why complain against me? What am I saying? Why are they hurt when I speak against infiltrators?” he asked rhetorically.Sarma emphasized that discussing Hindus should not be misconstrued as an attack on Muslims, stating, “Talking about Hindus doesn’t mean targeting Muslims. I don’t even utter the word – Muslim.” His comments aim to alleviate the tensions that often arise from discussions about national identity and security.The context of Sarma’s remarks comes in the wake of criticisms from Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who accused Sarma of erasing the identity of Jharkhand tribes in Assam by denying them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Speaking at an election rally in Khunti, Soren raised concerns about the poor living conditions of individuals with roots in Jharkhand residing in Assam’s tea gardens.Soren alleged, “The chief minister of Assam pretends to be a well-wisher of the tribals here. But he has erased the identity of Jharkhand tribes in the northeastern state by not providing them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.”This back-and-forth follows Soren’s earlier correspondence with Sarma, in which he highlighted the marginalization of tea tribes despite their economic contributions. In response, the Jharkhand government approved the formation of a committee to investigate the issues facing these communities.Soren noted that many tribals from Jharkhand were relocated to areas like Assam during British rule and are currently advocating for their rights. He emphasized that these individuals, numbering between 1.5 to 2 million, lack ST status, preventing them from accessing welfare programs intended for them.“Our government invites all original inhabitants to return to Jharkhand,” Soren announced. He detailed plans for a committee to address issues related to housing, employment, and rights, which will include representation from all parties. The committee’s findings will guide the state in implementing welfare measures.
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