Friday, January 2

Assam

Political Storm in Assam Over Demand for Reservation of 48 Seats for ‘Miya Muslim’ Community; BJP Launches Sharp Attack on Congress
Assam, Politics, State

Political Storm in Assam Over Demand for Reservation of 48 Seats for ‘Miya Muslim’ Community; BJP Launches Sharp Attack on Congress

A major political controversy has erupted in Assam after a Congress leader reportedly demanded reservation of 48 Assembly seats for the ‘Miya Muslim’ community. The issue has triggered a fierce backlash from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the Congress of pursuing divisive politics and undermining Assam’s indigenous identity. Reacting strongly, Assam BJP spokesperson Kamal Kumar Medhi alleged that the Congress is attempting to polarise society by promoting sectarian demands. He termed the proposal a “dangerous agenda of Islamic radical politics” and claimed it was aimed at weakening the rights and political representation of Assam’s indigenous communities. BJP Accuses Congress of Abandoning Nationalist Legacy Medhi launched a scathing attack on the Congr...
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma: “Even If I Offer ₹1 Lakh, No Muslim Will Vote for Me”
Assam, Politics, State

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma: “Even If I Offer ₹1 Lakh, No Muslim Will Vote for Me”

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked controversy with his remarks on the voting patterns of the Muslim community in the state. Speaking on a television program, Sarma claimed that regardless of government incentives or financial schemes, Muslim voters in Assam will not support him. Referring to Bihar’s recent women-focused welfare scheme, where ₹10,000 was provided to 21 lakh women voters, Sarma said, “Even if I offer ₹1 lakh, not a single Muslim voter will choose me.” When asked to clarify, he specified that he was referring to the “Miya Muslim” community. He added that while some members of this community have praised his work—even offering to donate kidneys in support—they would never vote for him. Voters Choose Ideology Over BenefitsThe Chief Minister em...
No Special Intensive Revision in Assam; EC Orders Special Revision Due to NRC — Know the Difference Between SIR and SR
Assam, State

No Special Intensive Revision in Assam; EC Orders Special Revision Due to NRC — Know the Difference Between SIR and SR

Guwahati: Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a Special Revision (SR) of Assam’s electoral rolls. The Commission clarified that this exercise must not be confused with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which is conducted in exceptional circumstances requiring voters to furnish documents for eligibility verification. In Assam’s case, the EC has avoided SIR due to the state's unique citizenship framework and the ongoing Supreme Court-monitored National Register of Citizens (NRC) proceedings. What Makes SR Different from SIR? The Special Revision ordered in Assam will require mandatory house-to-house (H2H) verification, but unlike SIR, no voter will be asked to produce documents to prove eligibility. The final electoral roll...
Assam Minister’s Cauliflower Tweet Sparks Controversy, Revives Memories of Bhagalpur Riots
Assam, State

Assam Minister’s Cauliflower Tweet Sparks Controversy, Revives Memories of Bhagalpur Riots

Guwahati/Bihar: A seemingly innocuous tweet by Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal about cauliflower farming in Bihar has ignited a political storm, particularly in Assam. While Bihar leaders remained largely silent, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale criticized the tweet, linking it to the infamous Bhagalpur riots of 1989. The controversy stems from a grim historical connection: during the Bhagalpur riots, hundreds of Muslims were killed, and, according to reports, some of the mass graves were later covered with cauliflower crops. On 24 October 1989, tensions escalated in Bhagalpur when a procession marking the Ram Janmabhoomi movement clashed with local Muslim residents. The violence spread rapidly, leaving around 900–1,000 people dead and affecting nearly...