Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma has accused Mamata Banerjee of only caring about Muslim Bengalis. He warned that if she comes to Assam, Assamese and Hindu-Bengalis will protest.
New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has bly responded to the allegations made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stating that she is only concerned about Bengali-speaking Muslims. Sarma warned that if Mamata Banerjee comes to Assam in support of Muslim-Bengalis, Assamese and Hindu-Bengalis will respond to her. He also questioned why Mamata Banerjee has not implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in her own state.
Himanta Sarma's Retort to Mamata Banerjee's Allegations
Following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's accusations that the BJP is weaponizing linguistic identity, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a direct attack. He stated that Mamata Banerjee only speaks in the interest of a specific community, namely Bengali Muslims, and does not care about the rest.
Sarma said that Mamata Banerjee should clarify whether she is talking about all Bengalis or just Muslim-Bengalis. Answering this question himself, he said, "My answer is - only Muslim-Bengalis."
"...then Assamese and Hindu-Bengalis will respond to her"
Himanta Sarma issued a clear warning that if Mamata Banerjee comes to Assam in support of Muslim-Bengalis, the Assamese and Hindu-Bengali people will bly oppose it. He said that Assam has an inclusive society where people of all communities live, but when an outsider comes and plays politics in favor of one community, people do not remain silent.
"Mamata Banerjee's Double Standards on CAA"
CM Sarma also asked Mamata Banerjee that if she is concerned about Bengali-speaking people, then why has she not implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in her state.
He said that there is a clear policy regarding CAA in Assam and Bengali Hindus are included in it. But why is Mamata Banerjee silent on this issue? He alleged that Mamata Banerjee only talks about Bengali Muslims for her own political gain, while she has no concern for the rights of Bengali Hindus.
"Bengali Hindus are Completely Integrated into Assam's Society"
Himanta Sarma also said that Bengali Hindus have become an integral part of the broader social fabric of Assam. He said that these people have not only received security, but have also achieved social, cultural and political representation.
He said, "Bengali Hindus freely follow their language, religion and culture. They have representation in the Assam government as ministers, legislators and in other positions." There is no division of any kind between Bengalis and Assamese in the state. Bengali is a co-official language of the state and it is fully recognized as an official language in the Barak Valley.
