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Verbal clash: CM Sarma and Maulana Ajmal spar over remarks on "Miya" community
During a media interaction on Friday, Ajmal stated, "If Assamese youths can compete with people of our 'Miya' community in farming, I welcome them. But they will have to put in a lot of effort. Do I think they will? I don't think so." Ajmal also stressed the importance of unity and strong bonds of brotherhood between the "Miya" and "Asomiya" communities within the state, emphasizing the need to avoid division.
Ajmal further criticized the Chief Minister of the state, accusing him of attempting to divide the two communities. He expressed concern that such remarks by a Chief Minister could potentially lead to violence between the communities, holding CM Sarma solely responsible for any consequences. Ajmal expressed deep distress over such comments.
The previous day, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the steep rise in vegetable prices in Guwahati city to the majority of sellers being from the 'Miya' community. This statement was made in response to Badruddin Ajmal's comment that Assam is incomplete without the 'Miya' community.
CM Sarma argued that Ajmal's remarks were an insult to the Assamese community, but acknowledged that individuals from the Miya community work harder than the Assamese community. He also highlighted the noticeable absence of buses and bustling markets in Guwahati during Eid, attributing it to a significant number of bus drivers being from the Miya community.
In an effort to encourage the youth of Assam to actively participate in the workforce, CM Sarma promised to vacate the market space beneath the flyover, allowing Assamese boys the opportunity for employment.
The ongoing exchange of statements between Maulana Badruddin Ajmal and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked discussions about unity, division, and the role of different communities in Assam. The political rhetoric surrounding the Miya community continues to be a topic of debate, with both leaders expressing contrasting views.