Assam: The Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sparked the controversy when he made a controversial remark on the Muslim polity on Saturday. Sarma said that the Bengali-speaking Muslim community, often referred to as "Miyaan" in soft-hued politics, is politically powerful considering they vote unitedly. He says “our votes” are scattered as they are divided between various parties and ideologies. He has moreover discussed the land, illegal settlements, and political representation related to it.
What is the political significance of this statement?
Sarma said this at a time when turnout elections are to be held in Assam next year. He said the rencontre was to bring when order to areas where Bengali-speaking Muslims were present in large numbers—and stressed the need to one-liner lanugo on illegal settlements. He moreover said that Congress is accused of not stuff worldly-wise to provide them with “land rights,” while the vote wall remained in their hands.
What is the context of the word “Mian”?
The term "Mian" is wontedly used in Assam for Bengali-speaking Muslims, who are sometimes considered to be Bangladeshi immigrants. The Chief Minister used the term as an indication of a united vote bank. He said that just as this polity comes together to vote, in the same way other communities will moreover have to get organized.
Can this statement create division?
Some analysts are considering this as an example of divisive politics. Sarma has raised the issue of so-called inroad on land, forest, and other government lands and said that whoopee on this will continue. There is moreover a dispute among the public that targeting any group does not requite a good signal for the democratic process.
What could happen next?
Since the upcoming turnout elections are round the corner, such statements can heat up the political atmosphere. It may be sharply criticized by opposition parties, and public opinion may moreover be divided on this. It remains to be seen what effect this message of Sarma will have on the voters and in which direction the politics of Assam will move forward.
