Assam chief minister targets Left and liberals in West Bengal and claims Hindus are not threatened by Muslims or Christians but by their own society
Team Clarion
KOLKATA — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during his visit to West Bengal on Sunday, launched a strong attack on the Left and liberal sections of society, stating that they pose the greatest threat to Hindus. Addressing a public gathering, he said, “I believe that Leftists and liberals are the biggest threat to Hindus.”
Sarma argued that Hindus were not endangered by Muslims or Christians but by those within their own community who, according to him, are weakening Hindu society. He accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of continuing what he described as a legacy of undermining Hindus. “Mamata Banerjee has inherited the tendency to weaken Hindus in Bengal from the Leftists and liberals,” he alleged.
In his speech, Sarma drew historical parallels, invoking Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. “Aurangzeb vowed to destroy Hinduism, but Hinduism did not end, Aurangzeb ended,” he said. He then aimed at opposition leaders, stating, “Today, I would like to tell Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi that if they think they can end Hinduism, I would like to tell them that Hinduism will not end… Hinduism can never end.”
The Assam chief minister also claimed that India’s civilisation was over 5,000 years old and did not begin with the country’s independence in 1947. He expressed concerns over demographic changes in Assam and West Bengal, stating, “The percentage of Hindus in Assam has come down to 58 percent, while in West Bengal this community may have declined to about 65 percent.”
During his visit, Sarma participated in a ceremony honouring Swami Pradiptananda with the Swami Vivekananda Seva Award. “In India, whenever there has been a threat to our dharma (religion), people have raised their voices to safeguard it,” he said. “Swamiji has always accepted challenges that came in the way of protecting dharma and has made a resolution to do everything for Sanatan Dharma. Such a personality is a guiding light and an inspiration for us.”
Sarma also called for the abolition of the Waqf law, linking it to broader legal reforms. “The Ram temple has been built after 500 years… now the time has come to abolish the (existing) Waqf law,” he stated. He further noted that the abolition of triple talaq had already taken place and hinted at the possible implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in the country.
Sarma’s remarks have sparked sharp criticism from political opponents and analysts, who accuse him of stoking communal divisions for political gain. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim condemned Sarma’s statements, calling them “deeply divisive and inflammatory.” He said, “This is a clear attempt to spread hatred and polarise people ahead of elections. India thrives on unity, not on such dangerous rhetoric.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised Sarma, stating, “The BJP’s strategy is clear — create fear and division to distract from real issues like unemployment and economic crisis. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s words are a direct attack on the secular fabric of India.”
Political analyst Prof Dwaipayan Bhattacharya remarked, “By targeting the Left and liberals, Sarma is attempting to redefine Hindutva politics in a way that suits his party’s narrative. However, such remarks alienate large sections of society and undermine democratic discourse.”
His statements have also drawn reactions from social activists and civil society groups. Writer and activist Arundhati Roy said: “The real danger to India is not from any community but from leaders who continuously seek to divide us along religious lines. This kind of rhetoric damages the very foundation of our democracy.”
