Assam chief minister again faces criticism for targeting Muslims through his divisive remarks and controversial ‘pushback’ policy
NEW DELHI — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has once again come under fire for his inflammatory remarks against Muslims. On Saturday, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Miya Bhai’s daring will not work in Assam.”
The post, which followed the arrest of 16 people accused of “illegal infiltration” from Bangladesh, drew sharp condemnation from opposition parties and rights activists, who called it “a deliberate attempt to spread hatred.”
In his post, Sarma claimed that the arrested individuals were Bangladeshi infiltrators and warned, “We will find you, arrest you, and deport you.” He also congratulated officials for the operation.
However, human rights groups and legal experts have expressed concern over what they describe as a pattern of “collective punishment” targeting Muslims, particularly Bengali-speaking and Rohingya families, under the guise of checking illegal immigration.
Since early 2025, the Assam government has reportedly implemented a “pushback policy,” forcibly sending back people it labels as foreigners. Most of those affected are Bengali Muslims and Rohingya refugees who have lived in Assam for years.
While the policy is said to be based on a Supreme Court directive issued in February 2025 to deport 63 declared foreigners, activists claim that the government has gone far beyond that order. Many people, they say, were expelled despite having pending appeals or incomplete hearings in foreigner tribunals.
A senior advocate from Guwahati, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “This is not just a legal issue; it is a human issue. People are being thrown out of their homes without trial, simply because of their religion and language.”
By June 2025, the Himanta government confirmed the deportation of more than 330 people. However, several of these deportations were later challenged in court. In May, 65 individuals were sent back to Bangladesh, but authorities there refused to accept them, citing lack of citizenship proof. Following a notice from the Guwahati High Court, the Border Security Force (BSF) was ordered to bring them back.
Similarly, in June, seven individuals known as the Khairul Islam group were repatriated after submitting documents related to their pending appeals in the Supreme Court. The court also intervened in the cases of Abu Bakr Siddique, Akbar Ali, and Doyjan Bibi, directing the state government to stop any further deportations without judicial clearance.
Justice (Retd) Anwarul Haque, a former Guwahati High Court judge, remarked, “Assam cannot become a lawless land where the executive replaces the judiciary. Deportation without due process is a violation of both the Constitution and humanity.”
Opposition parties, including the Congress and AIUDF, accused the chief minister of using communal rhetoric to divert attention from rising unemployment and price hikes.
Congress leader Debabrata Saikia said, “Sarma has made hate speech his political weapon. Every time his government fails on development, he blames the Muslims.”
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal also condemned the remarks, saying, “The chief minister’s statement ‘Miya Bhai’s daring will not work’ is an insult to the Muslim community of Assam, who have lived here for generations and contributed to the state’s progress.”
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty India and Citizens for Justice and Peace, have called for an independent investigation into the alleged “pushback” policy. In a statement, Amnesty India said, “Forcibly sending people across the border without trial is not only illegal but a grave abuse of human rights.”
This is not the first time Himanta Biswa Sarma has made remarks targeting Muslims. Over the past two years, he has referred to “Miya culture” and claimed that “illegal immigrants” were changing Assam’s demography. Analysts believe such rhetoric is part of a deliberate political strategy to consolidate Hindu votes by projecting Muslims as “outsiders.”
Political commentator Abdul Qadir observed, “Sarma’s words are not slip of the tongue. They are part of a larger pattern of marginalisation, intended to otherise an entire community for political gain.”
Muslim families living near the border areas of Dhubri, Barpeta, and South Salmara districts say they now live in constant fear. Many have stopped venturing out after dark, fearing detention or deportation.
A resident of Dhubri, 48-year-old Rahimuddin, shared his fear: “We were born here, our parents are buried here, but they call us Bangladeshis. We have nowhere to go.”
Local teachers and activists say that several children have dropped out of school since their parents were detained. According to social worker Farzana Yasmin, “The fear has paralysed entire communities. People no longer trust the system. Even genuine citizens are treated like criminals.”
The Supreme Court recently warned the Assam government against carrying out deportations without verifying citizenship status through proper legal channels. It also reminded the state that branding people as “Bangladeshis” without proof amounted to contempt of court.
Despite these warnings, reports continue to emerge of night raids, detentions, and arbitrary expulsions. Civil society groups have urged the Union Government to intervene and uphold the rule of law.
As the controversy deepens, questions remain over the chief minister’s repeated attempts to vilify a section of the population. For many in Assam, Sarma’s latest remark — “Miya Bhai’s daring will not work” — is more than just political rhetoric; it is a reflection of the growing normalisation of hate.
Human rights activist Mohammad Saleem summed it up poignantly: “Words from a chief minister carry weight. When those words spread hatred, they endanger lives.”
