Owaisi slams Assam CM Sarma for hate speech against Bengali-origin Muslims
Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Indian parliament member from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi, launched a scathing attack on BJP’s Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his continued hate speeches against Bengali-origin Muslims, commonly referred to as “Miya” Muslims in the state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking at a public rally in Nizamabad, Owaisi condemned Sarma’s remarks as rooted in fear and prejudice, asserting that no government can be run on such grounds. He stressed that the Indian Constitution guarantees equality to all citizens irrespective of religion or community, and no authority—including a chief minister—can violate this principle.
Highlighting discriminatory rhetoric, Owaisi cited Sarma’s statements blaming “Miya Muslims” for rising vegetable prices or telling voters to “go to Bangladesh.” He particularly mocked Sarma’s reported comment urging people to short-change Muslim auto-rickshaw drivers: if the fare is Rs 5, pay only Rs 4.
Owaisi questioned the dignity of such pettiness from a sitting chief minister, noting that these Muslims are Indian citizens who speak Bengali and earn honest livelihoods.
The Assam Chief Minister has faced criticism in recent weeks over his hateful and divisive rhetoric. At a recent event in Digboi, he reportedly said that during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, he intended to “make the Miya people suffer.” He also urged people to “trouble” them, suggesting at one point that if a rickshaw fare is Rs 5, one should pay Rs 4.
In Assam, Muslims, particularly Bengali-origin Muslims, remain among the most socio-economically marginalised communities. They are often portrayed as “outsiders” or “illegal immigrants.”
Rights activist Harsh Mander has filed a police complaint accusing the Chief Minister of hate speech against Bengali-origin Muslims, arguing that such rhetoric threatens constitutional principles and minority rights in the state.
On the other hand, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has approached the Supreme Court against these speeches made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, stating that the statements are openly communal, unconstitutional, and amount to hate speech by a person holding a high constitutional office.
