Guwahati: On the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma courted controversy with remarks that many activists and rights groups say unfairly demonize Bengali-speaking Muslims under the guise of “infiltration” and “land jihad.”, reported the Indian Express.
Speaking after hoisting the national flag, Sarma warned that illegal immigration and alleged “forms of jihad” posed an “existential threat” to Assam. He went so far as to claim that even the historic Kamakhya temple hills could be “encroached upon” if strict action was not taken.
He accused previous governments of being lenient on “infiltration” and insisted his government would make no compromises. Sarma also advised people not to sell land to “unknown buyers,” while announcing that the state would allocate land rights to so-called “indigenous families” who currently do not own property.
Sarma further lashed out at Assamese nationalist organizations, accusing them of “surrendering to infiltrators” and describing Bengali-speaking Muslims as the “biggest problem” facing the state.
However, rights groups, minority leaders, and civil society activists have strongly condemned his speech, saying it fuels hate against a vulnerable community without evidence. They argue that Bengali-speaking Muslims, many of whom have lived in Assam for generations, are being stigmatized and harassed under political rhetoric.
Activists point out that such labels as “land jihad” and “love jihad” are unsubstantiated propaganda tools used to divide society, creating fear and hostility toward Muslims who contribute to Assam’s culture, economy, and agricultural backbone. They stressed that instead of vilifying communities, the government should focus on inclusive development and safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
Critics believe that branding entire populations as “infiltrators” on Independence Day undermines the very spirit of freedom and equality the occasion represents.
