NEW DELHI — A video from Assam has sparked outrage after a woman was seen paying a Muslim rickshaw puller Rs 4 instead of the usual Rs 5 fare, claiming she was following an appeal made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The incident follows Sarma’s remarks on January 27, in which he urged people to “trouble” members of the Miya community, a derogatory term used for Bengali-speaking Muslims. “Only if they face troubles will they leave Assam,” the chief minister had said, adding, “In a rickshaw, if the fare is Rs 5, give them Rs 4.”
A video circulating on social media shows a young woman handing over Rs 4 to a rickshaw puller after completing her ride. When questioned by the driver, she says she is acting on the advice of her “brother,” an apparent reference to the chief minister.
Calmly disputing her claim, the rickshaw puller asks her to show proof of the statement. The woman then plays a video of Sarma’s remarks on her phone. “Look, see this. The CM himself said it. It clearly says Rs 4,” she says.
When the rickshaw puller responds that he cannot make a living with reduced fares, the woman shows no remorse and replies, “I only know that I was told to pay Rs 4. It was said on the news.”
Earlier, addressing reporters, Sarma openly acknowledged encouraging party workers to file complaints against “Miyas,” stating that the actions were intended to “trouble” them and convey that “Assamese people are still living.”
“Whoever can give trouble in any way should give, including you. In a rickshaw, if the fare is Rs 5, give them Rs 4. Only if they face troubles will they leave Assam,” he had said. “Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP are directly against Miyas.”
The chief minister also claimed that during the ongoing Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, between four and five lakh “Miya” voters would be removed.
“Vote chori means we are trying to steal some ‘Miya’ votes. They should ideally not be allowed to vote in Assam, but in Bangladesh,” Sarma had said.
