Tura: Former MDC of Balachanda in West Garo Hills, Sofiur Rehman, has strongly criticized Assam Deputy Speaker and Bokajan MLA Dr Numal Momin for making communal remarks against Muslim leaders in Meghalaya. The comments were made during an interaction with media in Assam and later aired on a local YouTube channel.
According to Sofiur, Dr Momin referred to Muslims in Garo Hills as “Bangladeshis” and questioned how such individuals could be elected to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. He also targeted senior leaders, including the former Speaker and current Power Minister, as well as Dr Mizanur Rahman Kazi, MLA from Rajabala, branding them as “Bangladeshis.”
Sofiur accused the Deputy Speaker of spreading communal rhetoric in a region known for peace and coexistence. He warned that such remarks undermine the Indian Constitution and fuel division. He added that Momin’s statements reflect the RSS-BJP agenda rather than constitutional values.
The former MDC also highlighted Momin’s claim that if the BJP were to form a government in Meghalaya, it would remove Muslim MLAs, prevent them from contesting elections, and even reserve certain constituencies. Sofiur dismissed these remarks as unconstitutional and unrealistic.
He reminded Momin that his own position as a legislator is safeguarded by constitutional provisions, which must be respected equally for others. Sofiur called on political leaders in Meghalaya to strongly oppose such attempts to communalize politics and undermine democratic principles.
