Assam police books Chief Minister for hate speech over 'Miya Muslim' remark

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been officially booked by the state police following a complaint filed by Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuyan. The FIR accuses Sarma of making derogatory remarks against Bangladeshi-origin Muslim settlers, commonly referred to as 'Miyas,' in Assam.

Bhuyan lodged the police complaint at the Dispur police station, asserting that Sarma's statements amounted to hate speech targeting a specific community.

In the FIR, the Rajya Sabha MP highlighted Sarma's recent press interaction where he allegedly urged people from Upper Assam to come to Guwahati, claiming that he would then rid the city of Miyas. Bhuyan pointed out that such remarks were clearly intended to create divisions among different communities in the state and were detrimental to national integration. He also emphasised that the statement aimed to incite enmity between religious and racial groups.

Citing Supreme Court orders that categorise hate speech as a serious offence with significant implications for social harmony, Bhuyan urged the police to take action against Sarma. He pointed out that the apex court had directed all states and Union Territories to register cases related to hate speech, even without a formal complaint, particularly when leaders of the ruling party target specific communities. Bhuyan expressed concern that no action had been taken so far and emphasised the need for the FIR to be registered to address the Chief Minister's statement.

The MP emphasised that a thorough investigation into the matter was crucial to maintaining peace in the state and ensuring that communal harmony was not disrupted.

The Assam Police, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, stated, "Such statements on the face of it are intended to create a division among different communities in the state and are clearly prejudicial to national integration."