Controversy Erupts Over Assam Minister’s ‘Cabbage Farming’ Post Amid Bihar Election Results

Patna: Following the landslide victory of the NDA in the Bihar Assembly elections, a social media post by Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal has sparked widespread controversy. The minister shared a photograph of a cabbage field with the caption: “Bihar approves cabbage farming.” The post quickly went viral and triggered intense debate, with several users linking it to the tragic Bhagalpur riots of 1989.

Public Reaction Divided

The post drew sharp criticism on social media. Many users condemned the minister, alleging that the reference to cabbage fields appeared to trivialize communal violence. One user remarked, “What kind of country do we live in when a government minister openly endorses such messages?” Another noted that phrases like “cabbage farming” risk belittling an entire community, recalling past incidents of violence.

Conversely, some defended the post as a nod to agricultural development. According to one social media user, the minister was highlighting a government scheme that increased cabbage production and, indirectly, the NDA’s electoral success.

Congress Leaders Condemn Post

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi criticized the post as “shameful and inhumane,” stating that it represents a new low in political discourse. He highlighted its disturbing connection to the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, when over 1,000 people were killed, and in some villages, victims’ bodies were buried beneath cabbage fields to erase evidence. He pointed out that the image evoked painful memories, particularly of Logai village, where 116 Muslims were buried in a field later planted with cabbage.

Gogoi also suggested that the post reflects a mindset allegedly inspired by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, whom he accused of fostering hostility toward minorities.

Historical Context: Bhagalpur Riots

In 1989, Bhagalpur and surrounding areas witnessed one of India’s deadliest communal riots. Reports indicate that hundreds of victims’ bodies were concealed in ponds and fields, with cabbage cultivation used in some cases to cover the graves. The discovery of 116 skeletons in Logai village shocked the nation and remains a somber reminder of the tragedy.

VHP Leader Ashok Singhal Remembered

The post coincided with the death anniversary of senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal, a key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Political leaders paid tribute to his contributions to religion, culture, and national consciousness. Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Singhal’s lifelong dedication, writing that he devoted his life to preserving dharma, nation, and culture. BJP National President JP Nadda also praised him for his unwavering service to the nation and for restoring cultural pride.