Guwahati: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator Aminul Islam was arrested by the Assam police on Thursday following his controversial statement linking the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack to a possible political conspiracy by top BJP leaders, reported the Hindu.
Islam, representing the Dhing constituency in central Assam, had made remarks during a political rally on April 23, suggesting a connection between the 2019 Pulwama attack and the recent Pahalgam incident. “When 42 soldiers were martyred in Pulwama, I said it was a conspiracy to influence the 2019 elections. I demanded an inquiry then, but no answers were provided. Now, with Pahalgam, similar doubts arise,” he stated.
He further questioned the BJP’s narrative, saying, “They claim terrorists targeted Hindus and spared Muslims, but survivors have clarified that the attackers fired indiscriminately from the dark. I suspect those behind Pulwama may also be involved in Pahalgam.”
Islam also warned of growing suspicion if the Centre fails to conduct an impartial investigation, even alleging a potential plot by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Assam police termed his remarks as “misleading and provocative,” registering a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 152 (endangering India’s unity and sovereignty), Section 196 (promoting enmity between groups), and Section 113(3) (abetting terrorism).
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal distanced the party from Islam’s comments, calling them his “personal opinion” and emphasizing that the party stands against all forms of terrorism, irrespective of religion.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the statement, asserting that any attempt to justify or dilute terrorist attacks was unacceptable. “This is not freedom of expression; this is an attack on the soul of India,” he said, announcing ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for families of those killed in Pahalgam.
