‘They Cannot Live Here in Peace’: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Remarks on ‘Miya’ Community Trigger Fresh Row

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has once again courted controversy with his remarks targeting the ‘Miya’ community, a term commonly used in Assam to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims. Despite mounting criticism, the Chief Minister reiterated that as long as he remains in power, people belonging to the Miya community would face “difficulties” and would not be allowed to live peacefully in the state.

Speaking to journalists during a government programme in Goalpara, Sarma said that creating pressure was necessary to force such people to leave Assam. “If I remain in Assam, they will face trouble. They cannot live here peacefully. Only when we create problems for them will they be forced to leave the state,” he said.

Illegal Immigration Allegation
The Chief Minister described members of the Miya community as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and asserted that they should not be allowed to work in Assam. Referring to a previous remark about a Miya rickshaw puller, Sarma said he had spoken in their interest by highlighting alleged exploitation. “According to the law, they cannot work here. Citizens work on their own land. How can people who have come from Bangladesh work here?” he asked.

The term ‘Miya’ is widely considered derogatory and is often used to describe Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, who are frequently perceived by non-Bengali speakers as Bangladeshi migrants.

Demographic Claim
Sarma further claimed that if such issues were not addressed, the proportion of Bangladeshi Muslims in Assam could rise to 40 per cent of the state’s population in the next census. He added that if people failed to accept what he described as “advice in their interest,” the government would be compelled to act against them.

Other Allegations
The Chief Minister also accused Muslims of encroaching upon satra lands (Vaishnavite religious institutions) and other properties. He further alleged their involvement in what he described as “love jihad” and “fertilizer jihad.”

Opposition parties strongly condemned Sarma’s remarks, terming them hate speech and demanding action. The comments come ahead of the Assam Assembly elections scheduled for March–April, with all 126 seats going to polls. The BJP has been in power in Assam since 2016.