Correspondent
Date: July 16, 2023
In a recent statement, Aminul Islam, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), expressed his concerns over the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) purported strategy of dividing communities in Assam based on caste and religion for political gains. Islam claimed that the BJP was attempting to create a gap between communities in the state, particularly in light of their decreasing popularity in the North East region.
Highlighting his allegations, Islam specifically referred to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's recent remarks, where he reportedly attributed the rise in vegetable prices to the Miya Muslim community. The term "Miya" is used to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam. Islam argued that such statements were part of the BJP's tactics to instigate divisions within Assam's diverse communities.
"It's the BJP's strategy to divide the communities on the basis of caste and religion to get benefits. BJP is seeing that North East is not going in their favour, so to create a gap between the communities in Assam, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma made such statements that Miya Muslims are responsible for vegetable price rise," Islam said.
The AIUDF MLA further emphasized that such attempts to polarize society were detrimental to the overall harmony and unity of Assam. He urged the people of Assam to remain vigilant and reject any efforts aimed at sowing discord among various communities.
It is worth noting that Assam, located in northeastern India, is known for its rich cultural diversity and multi-ethnic population. The state has witnessed several instances of communal tensions in the past, making the need for fostering communal harmony of utmost importance.
Islam's remarks come at a time when political parties are gearing up for the upcoming state elections. The AIUDF, which primarily represents the interests of Muslim communities in Assam, has been a vocal opposition party, often criticizing the policies and actions of the ruling BJP.
While the BJP has not responded directly to Islam's allegations, it has consistently denied any intentions of creating divisions within communities and maintains that its focus is on development and the welfare of all citizens.
As the political landscape in Assam heats up in anticipation of the upcoming elections, it remains to be seen how these allegations and counter-arguments will shape the discourse surrounding communal harmony and political strategies in the state.
In the face of these developments, the people of Assam are encouraged to engage in open dialogue, promote understanding, and work towards a united society that values the diverse cultures and identities that coexist within the state.