Assam Civil Society raises concern over ‘communal’ politics

Guwahati: The Assam Civil Society on Sunday raised concern over what it described as ‘communal and provocative’ speeches aimed at polarising the people of Assam. It also urged citizens to vote freely, without fear of intimidation, provocation, or inducement, and to exercise their democratic rights independently.The representatives of the civil society accused chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of reviving ‘divisive politics’ by allegedly encouraging religious polarisation. They further alleged that All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal has stepped forward to aid him.“Ajmal, who spent most of his time outside the state when he was an MP from Assam, seems to remember Assam only during elections. To fuel the politics of polarisation pursued by the CM and BJP, Ajmal has brought in Asaduddin Owaisi, a fundamentalist leader who lacks even basic knowledge of Assam’s heritage.

We condemn Ajmal for inviting such a leader during a sensitive time like the elections,” said Massadar Hussain, general secretary of Assam Civil Society.“The tone and message of both Owaisi and Sarma appears to be drawn from the same thread. Both of them are attempting to instil fear among the people by suggesting that Assam will have a Muslim chief minister. We wish to caution Owaisi against engaging in communal propaganda in the state that would aid the agenda of the ruling govt,” Hussain added.

In addition to raising concerns over communal rhetoric, the civil society members also condemned recent remarks made by the CM targeting Assam Jatiya Parishad member and Guwahati Central constituency candidate Kunki Chowdhury. They termed the alleged comments against her and her family members as ‘distasteful’ and urged Sarma to uphold the state’s political decorum.