North India Statesman
[ad_1]
News India Live, Digital Desk: A statement given by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the ‘Miya Muslim’ community has intensified the political stir. Reacting to this, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has accused the Chief Minister of spreading hatred and doing cheap politics.
1. Root of controversy: CM Himanta’s statement
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had recently said during an event that “Miya Muslims” (immigrant Muslims of Bangladeshi origin) were posing a threat to the culture and identity of Assam. He expressed concern over their increasing influence and demographic change in some specific areas.
2. Owaisi’s ‘2 rupees’ attack
Asaduddin Owaisi accepted this statement of CM. “2 rupee politics” (Cheap politics) relaxed me. Highlights of his counterattack:
Constitutional dignity: Owaisi said that targeting a particular community while holding the post of Chief Minister is a violation of the oath of the Constitution.
Accusation of concealing failure: Owaisi argued that whenever the BJP government wants to hide its failures (unemployment, flood management), it plays the ‘Miya’ or ‘Muslim’ card.
Questions on citizenship: He asked that if they are citizens of the country, then why are they being insulted in this way?
3. Politics on the word ‘Miya’
In Assam, the term ‘Miya’ is often used to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims who immigrated from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Bengal) generations ago. Chief Minister Sarma often talks about clarifying the distinction between ‘indigenous Assamese Muslims’ and ‘Miya Muslims’, which the opposition says is an attempt to divide the society.
4. Sound of upcoming elections
Political analysts believe that as local elections and other political events approach, this rhetoric of polarization will further intensify. Owaisi is trying to corner BJP by raising this issue at the national level.
