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Tag: Himanta Biswa Sarma

  • No need for madrasas in state, will close all of them: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

    By Express News Service

    BELAGAVI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said there is no need for madrasas in the state and that he will close all of them in the coming days. “We have already closed hundreds of madrasas in Assam. We need to establish colleges and universities, not madrasas,” he added.    Inaugurating an exhibition titled ‘Shivacharitra’ at Shivaji Garden here by Belagavi (South) MLA Abhay Patil, Sarma also launched a scathing attack on the Mughal rulers, stating that they destroyed the country earlier, and now the Congress was following in their footsteps.

    ALSO READ | Northeast results: Himanta Biswa Sarma, not Shah or Modi, made the difference for BJP       Congressmen were speaking only about the Babri mosque and never about the Ram mandir, he said, adding, “People should teach a fitting lesson to the Congressmen who are the same as the Mughals. There is a need to root them out of the country,” he fumed.       Hitting out at a section of historians, he said they projected that the entire country was in the hands of Mughal rulers like Aurangzeb but what they did not disclose was that Shivaji Maharaj was 10 times more powerful as a warrior than Aurangzeb.     

    BELAGAVI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said there is no need for madrasas in the state and that he will close all of them in the coming days. “We have already closed hundreds of madrasas in Assam. We need to establish colleges and universities, not madrasas,” he added.
        
    Inaugurating an exhibition titled ‘Shivacharitra’ at Shivaji Garden here by Belagavi (South) MLA Abhay Patil, Sarma also launched a scathing attack on the Mughal rulers, stating that they destroyed the country earlier, and now the Congress was following in their footsteps.

    ALSO READ | Northeast results: Himanta Biswa Sarma, not Shah or Modi, made the difference for BJP
           
    Congressmen were speaking only about the Babri mosque and never about the Ram mandir, he said, adding, “People should teach a fitting lesson to the Congressmen who are the same as the Mughals. There is a need to root them out of the country,” he fumed.
           
    Hitting out at a section of historians, he said they projected that the entire country was in the hands of Mughal rulers like Aurangzeb but what they did not disclose was that Shivaji Maharaj was 10 times more powerful as a warrior than Aurangzeb.     

  • Rio to remain Nagaland CM, says Himanta

    Express News Service

    DIMAPUR(NAGALAND): Neiphiu Rio will continue as the Nagaland chief minister if the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) combine retains power, his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on Monday.

    “We managed to give a stable government in the last five years because of the strong friendship between BJP and NDPP.  This time too, we decided on the 20:40 seat-sharing deal. Neiphiu Rio will be the chief minister again if we retain power. That is the agreement we had,” Sarma told a crowd at a BJP rally in the Wokha district of the state.

    A BJP source said there are no other contenders for the CM’s post but “there was a confusion who will lead the government if BJP-NDPP retains power.” As per their understanding, BJP and NDPP will contest 20 and 40 seats respectively like the last time. Nagaland has altogether 60 seats.

    DIMAPUR(NAGALAND): Neiphiu Rio will continue as the Nagaland chief minister if the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) combine retains power, his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on Monday.

    “We managed to give a stable government in the last five years because of the strong friendship between BJP and NDPP.  This time too, we decided on the 20:40 seat-sharing deal. Neiphiu Rio will be the chief minister again if we retain power. That is the agreement we had,” Sarma told a crowd at a BJP rally in the Wokha district of the state.

    A BJP source said there are no other contenders for the CM’s post but “there was a confusion who will lead the government if BJP-NDPP retains power.” As per their understanding, BJP and NDPP will contest 20 and 40 seats respectively like the last time. Nagaland has altogether 60 seats.

  • ‘Irreconcilable’ differences reason behind non-resolution of ULFA problem: Assam CM Sarma

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the problem with the insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) could not be solved due to “irreconcilable” differences.

    He told the media that it is not a problem for him to talk to the outfit’s “commander-in-chief” Paresh Baruah or keep the channel of communication between the government and the insurgent group open.

    “If I want to talk to him tomorrow morning, I can do it. The government and the ULFA have that channel. It has had some positive impact as Assam has not faced many law and order-related challenges in the past two years… But the problem is Paresh Baruah does not want to discuss anything other than (Assam’s) independence but I have taken an oath (as the CM) that I will protect the integrity and sovereignty of India,” Sarma said.

    He said one side would have to retreat for the resolution of the conflict. “I cannot take a step backwards, for it will go against my oath. I cannot remain as the CM. It is equally difficult for him as 10,000 people have lost their lives (in ULFA movement). So, these two are irreconcilable differences,” Sarma said.

    He said if the people of Assam could give confidence to Baruah that nobody would call him a betrayer if the insurgent leader dropped the demand for sovereignty, it might change his mindset.

    Sarma said the intellectuals and the various student organisations in Assam could make an appeal to Baruah to drop the demand for sovereignty and bargain on other things.

    “I believe people have a greater role to play in it. Our door is open,” the CM said, adding, “Paresh Baruah does not want the killings of innocent people. We also don’t want it. So, if there are points of disagreement, there are also points of agreement. We hope something positive will happen one day.”

    The ULFA is the only group in Assam which is outside the purview of peace process. Baruah has said it often that his group will take part in peace talks only if the sovereignty of Assam is the agenda.

    GUWAHATI: Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the problem with the insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) could not be solved due to “irreconcilable” differences.

    He told the media that it is not a problem for him to talk to the outfit’s “commander-in-chief” Paresh Baruah or keep the channel of communication between the government and the insurgent group open.

    “If I want to talk to him tomorrow morning, I can do it. The government and the ULFA have that channel. It has had some positive impact as Assam has not faced many law and order-related challenges in the past two years… But the problem is Paresh Baruah does not want to discuss anything other than (Assam’s) independence but I have taken an oath (as the CM) that I will protect the integrity and sovereignty of India,” Sarma said.

    He said one side would have to retreat for the resolution of the conflict. “I cannot take a step backwards, for it will go against my oath. I cannot remain as the CM. It is equally difficult for him as 10,000 people have lost their lives (in ULFA movement). So, these two are irreconcilable differences,” Sarma said.

    He said if the people of Assam could give confidence to Baruah that nobody would call him a betrayer if the insurgent leader dropped the demand for sovereignty, it might change his mindset.

    Sarma said the intellectuals and the various student organisations in Assam could make an appeal to Baruah to drop the demand for sovereignty and bargain on other things.

    “I believe people have a greater role to play in it. Our door is open,” the CM said, adding, “Paresh Baruah does not want the killings of innocent people. We also don’t want it. So, if there are points of disagreement, there are also points of agreement. We hope something positive will happen one day.”

    The ULFA is the only group in Assam which is outside the purview of peace process. Baruah has said it often that his group will take part in peace talks only if the sovereignty of Assam is the agenda.

  • NRC couldn’t but delimitation can safeguard Assam’s future: Himanta

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the upcoming exercise for delimiting Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies would help safeguard the state’s future for at least two decades.

    “The notification issued by the year-end for delimitation is a breakthrough for Assam. We were unsuccessful in NRC (National Register of Citizens). We did not get a desired result through the Assam Accord. But through delimitation, we will be able to safeguard Assam’s future for at least two decades,” Sarma told journalists. 

    At the same time, he said delimitation will be a “data-based” and “non-political” exercise. According to an Act of the Parliament, delimitation has to be done based on the Census of 2001. This is the mandate of the Act, he said.

    “The policy of delimiting constituencies is based on population. The central government told us to control the population. Some people controlled it but some did not. So, should the population be the basis of delimitation? By this, you are actually giving premium to those who violated the (population) policy and punishing those who abided by it,” the CM said. 

    “When the next delimitation exercise will take place, the Parliament will definitely debate whether areas which did not abide by the policy of population control should be punished or rewarded. I feel this is a matter of national debate. In my view, the population should not be a criterion in delimiting constituencies. There should be other criteria as well,” Sarma insisted.

    Asked if there is a population explosion in Assam, he said it could be known after the Census of 2021.

    Ahead of delimitation, the state government had on Saturday remerged four new districts with those which were bifurcated to create them. A government notification had said the decision was made for “administrative expediency and in the interest of public service.”

    Sarma had said, “This decision is not permanent. This is for a transition phase for administrative reasons and in the interest of Assam keeping in mind its future.”

    But the opposition parties opposed it.

    The Congress had said the CM demonstrated his “dictatorial” attitude. The party promised to restore the district status to the four places if voted to power in 2026. The Assam Jatiya Parishad had accused the state government of deceiving people. The party said the BJP government had created the four districts for votes.

    On Tuesday, the Election Commission had announced its decision to initiate the delimitation exercise in Assam. The 2001 Census figures will be used for the purpose of readjustment of the constituencies.

    GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the upcoming exercise for delimiting Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies would help safeguard the state’s future for at least two decades.

    “The notification issued by the year-end for delimitation is a breakthrough for Assam. We were unsuccessful in NRC (National Register of Citizens). We did not get a desired result through the Assam Accord. But through delimitation, we will be able to safeguard Assam’s future for at least two decades,” Sarma told journalists. 

    At the same time, he said delimitation will be a “data-based” and “non-political” exercise. According to an Act of the Parliament, delimitation has to be done based on the Census of 2001. This is the mandate of the Act, he said.

    “The policy of delimiting constituencies is based on population. The central government told us to control the population. Some people controlled it but some did not. So, should the population be the basis of delimitation? By this, you are actually giving premium to those who violated the (population) policy and punishing those who abided by it,” the CM said. 

    “When the next delimitation exercise will take place, the Parliament will definitely debate whether areas which did not abide by the policy of population control should be punished or rewarded. I feel this is a matter of national debate. In my view, the population should not be a criterion in delimiting constituencies. There should be other criteria as well,” Sarma insisted.

    Asked if there is a population explosion in Assam, he said it could be known after the Census of 2021.

    Ahead of delimitation, the state government had on Saturday remerged four new districts with those which were bifurcated to create them. A government notification had said the decision was made for “administrative expediency and in the interest of public service.”

    Sarma had said, “This decision is not permanent. This is for a transition phase for administrative reasons and in the interest of Assam keeping in mind its future.”

    But the opposition parties opposed it.

    The Congress had said the CM demonstrated his “dictatorial” attitude. The party promised to restore the district status to the four places if voted to power in 2026. The Assam Jatiya Parishad had accused the state government of deceiving people. The party said the BJP government had created the four districts for votes.

    On Tuesday, the Election Commission had announced its decision to initiate the delimitation exercise in Assam. The 2001 Census figures will be used for the purpose of readjustment of the constituencies.

  • Assam merges four districts, changes jurisdiction of some villages ahead of EC delimitation

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Assam government on Saturday decided to merge four districts with four others and changed the administrative jurisdiction of a few villages, a day before the Election Commission’s freeze on redrawing administrative units comes into effect.

    Announcing this at a press conference here after a meeting of the state cabinet, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decisions have been taken with a heavy heart keeping in mind the interests of Assam, its society and administrative exigencies.

    He added it was only “temporary” and did not disclose the reason behind the decision.

    “While Biswanath district will be merged with Sonitpur, Hojai will be merged with Nagaon, Bajali will be merged with Barpeta and Tamulpur will be merged with Baksa,” he said.

    The decisions had to be taken at the cabinet meeting on Saturday as the Election Commission has imposed a ban on creating new administrative units in Assam from January 1, 2023, as the poll panel will undertake the delimitation exercise in the state.

    The administrative jurisdiction of some villages and a few towns have also been changed at the state cabinet meeting. The merged districts were mostly created in the recent past and Sarma said he wanted to apologise to the people of these districts but hoped that they would understand the importance of the decisions.

    The chief minister said a team of state ministers will visit these districts and interact with leading organisations and citizens to explain the reasons behind the decisions which can’t be disclosed publicly.

    He, however, said the police and judicial districts of the four merged districts will continue as they are along with other offices and officers.

    The Election Commission on December 27 said it initiated the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam and will use the 2001 census figures for the readjustment of seats. The Commission said a ban has been put in place effective January 1, 2023, on the creation of new administrative units in the state till the exercise is completed.

    Under the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 1972, the last delimitation of constituencies in Assam was effected on the basis of 1971 census figures by the then Delimitation Commission in 1976, the poll panel noted. The move to redraw the assembly and parliamentary seats of Assam as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 has been initiated following a request from the Union Law Ministry.

    Delimitation is the process of fixing limits or boundaries of the territorial constituencies in a country or a state with a legislative body.

    During the delimitation exercise, the Commission will keep in mind the physical features, existing boundaries of administrative units, facility of communication and public convenience, and as far as practicable, the constituencies will be kept as geographically compact areas, the EC statement noted.

    Once a draft proposal for the delimitation of constituencies is finalised by the Commission, it will be published in the central and state gazettes for inviting suggestions and objections from the general public.

    NEW DELHI: The Assam government on Saturday decided to merge four districts with four others and changed the administrative jurisdiction of a few villages, a day before the Election Commission’s freeze on redrawing administrative units comes into effect.

    Announcing this at a press conference here after a meeting of the state cabinet, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decisions have been taken with a heavy heart keeping in mind the interests of Assam, its society and administrative exigencies.

    He added it was only “temporary” and did not disclose the reason behind the decision.

    “While Biswanath district will be merged with Sonitpur, Hojai will be merged with Nagaon, Bajali will be merged with Barpeta and Tamulpur will be merged with Baksa,” he said.

    The decisions had to be taken at the cabinet meeting on Saturday as the Election Commission has imposed a ban on creating new administrative units in Assam from January 1, 2023, as the poll panel will undertake the delimitation exercise in the state.

    The administrative jurisdiction of some villages and a few towns have also been changed at the state cabinet meeting. The merged districts were mostly created in the recent past and Sarma said he wanted to apologise to the people of these districts but hoped that they would understand the importance of the decisions.

    The chief minister said a team of state ministers will visit these districts and interact with leading organisations and citizens to explain the reasons behind the decisions which can’t be disclosed publicly.

    He, however, said the police and judicial districts of the four merged districts will continue as they are along with other offices and officers.

    The Election Commission on December 27 said it initiated the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam and will use the 2001 census figures for the readjustment of seats. The Commission said a ban has been put in place effective January 1, 2023, on the creation of new administrative units in the state till the exercise is completed.

    Under the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 1972, the last delimitation of constituencies in Assam was effected on the basis of 1971 census figures by the then Delimitation Commission in 1976, the poll panel noted. The move to redraw the assembly and parliamentary seats of Assam as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 has been initiated following a request from the Union Law Ministry.

    Delimitation is the process of fixing limits or boundaries of the territorial constituencies in a country or a state with a legislative body.

    During the delimitation exercise, the Commission will keep in mind the physical features, existing boundaries of administrative units, facility of communication and public convenience, and as far as practicable, the constituencies will be kept as geographically compact areas, the EC statement noted.

    Once a draft proposal for the delimitation of constituencies is finalised by the Commission, it will be published in the central and state gazettes for inviting suggestions and objections from the general public.

  • Assam government carries out massive eviction drive

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Monday carried out a massive eviction drive in four villages of the Nagaon district.

    The settlers – migrant Muslims – had allegedly encroached upon government land measuring more than 1,000 bighas. They were settled there for the past many years.

    Earlier, the district administration had served notices on them to vacate the land. Apprehending trouble, the authorities had clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and deployed over 800 police personnel. However, there was no resistance from the settlers during the drive.

    Special Director General of Police GP Singh said the illegal structures were demolished by using bulldozers. “Around 70% to 80% of the settlers have patta land elsewhere. Despite that, they had encroached upon government land,” Singh told journalists.

    Nagaon Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said, “We did not face any resistance. People cooperated. There were altogether 302 structures. This morning, we found 72 structures. So, most people had left.”

    The encroachers had named the village “Jamai Basti.” The families used to gift a plot of land to men who married the women of the village.  “I heard the husbands of the village women kept staying here, so it was named Jamai Basti,” the SP said.

    The site of encroachment is near the birthplace of saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva.

    Debananda Deva Goswami, who is the “Satradhikar” of Batadrava Than, expressed happiness over the eviction drive. He was hopeful that people would be evicted from the other encroached areas.

    The locals of a neighbouring village also appreciated the government. “We are happy that the illegal settlers have been evicted. They had lopped off numerous trees and settled down here,” a villager said, adding, “Our cattle will now be able to graze there.”

    An illegal settler told journalists the people evicted lived near rivers and they relocated to the place after being affected by the floods and erosion.

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Monday carried out a massive eviction drive in four villages of the Nagaon district.

    The settlers – migrant Muslims – had allegedly encroached upon government land measuring more than 1,000 bighas. They were settled there for the past many years.

    Earlier, the district administration had served notices on them to vacate the land. Apprehending trouble, the authorities had clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and deployed over 800 police personnel. However, there was no resistance from the settlers during the drive.

    Special Director General of Police GP Singh said the illegal structures were demolished by using bulldozers. “Around 70% to 80% of the settlers have patta land elsewhere. Despite that, they had encroached upon government land,” Singh told journalists.

    Nagaon Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said, “We did not face any resistance. People cooperated. There were altogether 302 structures. This morning, we found 72 structures. So, most people had left.”

    The encroachers had named the village “Jamai Basti.” The families used to gift a plot of land to men who married the women of the village.  “I heard the husbands of the village women kept staying here, so it was named Jamai Basti,” the SP said.

    The site of encroachment is near the birthplace of saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva.

    Debananda Deva Goswami, who is the “Satradhikar” of Batadrava Than, expressed happiness over the eviction drive. He was hopeful that people would be evicted from the other encroached areas.

    The locals of a neighbouring village also appreciated the government. “We are happy that the illegal settlers have been evicted. They had lopped off numerous trees and settled down here,” a villager said, adding, “Our cattle will now be able to graze there.”

    An illegal settler told journalists the people evicted lived near rivers and they relocated to the place after being affected by the floods and erosion.

  • SC dismisses Sisodia’s plea seeking to quash defamation case filed by Himanta Sarma

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: “If you reduce public debate to this level, you have to face the consequences,” the Supreme Court said on Monday while hearing a petition by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia challenging the Gauhati High Court order dismissing his plea for quashing a criminal defamation case filed against him by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    The high court had dismissed Sisodia’s petition seeking quashing of the defamation case filed by Sarma over allegations of corruption levelled against him by the Delhi deputy CM.

    After the apex court showed its disinclination to entertain Sisodia’s plea against the November 4 order of the high court, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader withdrew it.

    Sarma had filed a criminal defamation case against Sisodia for making “baseless” corruption allegations against him in connection with the supply of PPE kits at “higher than market rates” to the National Health Mission (NHM) authorities during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The AAP leader had claimed that Sarma, as the state health minister in 2020, had given the supply orders to the firm of his wife. Sarma has denied these allegations.

    The matter came up for hearing on Monday before a bench comprising Justices S K Kaul and A S Oka.

    Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, said the AAP leader had nowhere said any money was taken.

    “If you reduce public debate to this level, you have to face the consequences,” the bench observed, adding the petitioner should have unconditionally apologised earlier.

    Singhvi said one cannot use the authority to “browbeat” others and that the petitioner had never said any money was taken.

    “You have to face the consequences,” the top court asserted, adding the allegations were made during the pandemic.

    The apex court observed that instead of realising what the country was going through during the pandemic, the petitioner was making allegations.

    Singhvi later withdrew the petition.

    After the hearing, advocate Nalin Kohli, who was representing the Assam government, said, “Essentially, while issuing summons, a court has to see whether a prima facie case exists with regard to false imputations which are per se defamatory.”

    In its order, the high court had said Sisodia has not been able to make out any case for quashing of the proceedings in the matter which is pending for disposal before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup, at Guwahati.

    The high court had noted Sarma filed the complaint alleging that on June 4 this year Sisodia addressed a press conference in New Delhi where he made a defamatory statement against the Assam chief minister accusing him of indulging in corruption.

    It took note of Sarma’s complaint about Sisodia accusing him of corruption in giving government contract to his wife’s company for purchasing PPE kits.

    It was alleged that while such PPE kits were purchased from others for Rs 600 apiece, the same was bought from the company owned by Sarma’s wife at the rate of Rs 990 per kit.

    The high court had noted the chief judicial magistrate had in August this year found sufficient ground to proceed against Sisodia and issued summons to him.

    Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of the Assam chief minister, had on June 21 filed a Rs 100-crore defamation case against the Delhi Deputy CM over the same allegation.

    NEW DELHI: “If you reduce public debate to this level, you have to face the consequences,” the Supreme Court said on Monday while hearing a petition by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia challenging the Gauhati High Court order dismissing his plea for quashing a criminal defamation case filed against him by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    The high court had dismissed Sisodia’s petition seeking quashing of the defamation case filed by Sarma over allegations of corruption levelled against him by the Delhi deputy CM.

    After the apex court showed its disinclination to entertain Sisodia’s plea against the November 4 order of the high court, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader withdrew it.

    Sarma had filed a criminal defamation case against Sisodia for making “baseless” corruption allegations against him in connection with the supply of PPE kits at “higher than market rates” to the National Health Mission (NHM) authorities during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The AAP leader had claimed that Sarma, as the state health minister in 2020, had given the supply orders to the firm of his wife. Sarma has denied these allegations.

    The matter came up for hearing on Monday before a bench comprising Justices S K Kaul and A S Oka.

    Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, said the AAP leader had nowhere said any money was taken.

    “If you reduce public debate to this level, you have to face the consequences,” the bench observed, adding the petitioner should have unconditionally apologised earlier.

    Singhvi said one cannot use the authority to “browbeat” others and that the petitioner had never said any money was taken.

    “You have to face the consequences,” the top court asserted, adding the allegations were made during the pandemic.

    The apex court observed that instead of realising what the country was going through during the pandemic, the petitioner was making allegations.

    Singhvi later withdrew the petition.

    After the hearing, advocate Nalin Kohli, who was representing the Assam government, said, “Essentially, while issuing summons, a court has to see whether a prima facie case exists with regard to false imputations which are per se defamatory.”

    In its order, the high court had said Sisodia has not been able to make out any case for quashing of the proceedings in the matter which is pending for disposal before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup, at Guwahati.

    The high court had noted Sarma filed the complaint alleging that on June 4 this year Sisodia addressed a press conference in New Delhi where he made a defamatory statement against the Assam chief minister accusing him of indulging in corruption.

    It took note of Sarma’s complaint about Sisodia accusing him of corruption in giving government contract to his wife’s company for purchasing PPE kits.

    It was alleged that while such PPE kits were purchased from others for Rs 600 apiece, the same was bought from the company owned by Sarma’s wife at the rate of Rs 990 per kit.

    The high court had noted the chief judicial magistrate had in August this year found sufficient ground to proceed against Sisodia and issued summons to him.

    Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of the Assam chief minister, had on June 21 filed a Rs 100-crore defamation case against the Delhi Deputy CM over the same allegation.

  • Meghalaya HC orders interim stay on Assam-Meghalaya border pact

    By PTI

    SHILLONG:  The Meghalaya High Court has ordered an interim stay on physical demarcation or erection of boundary posts on the ground in connection with an interstate border pact signed by chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya earlier this year.

    Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and his counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma had in March signed an MoU for demarcating the border in at least six of the 12 contested locations that often raised tensions between the two states.

    Justice H S Thangkhiew ordered the interim stay till the next date of hearing on February 6, 2023, on a petition filed by four ‘traditional chiefs’ of Meghalaya.

    “It is however understood that during the intervening period, no physical demarcation or erection of boundary posts on the ground, pursuant to the MoU dated 29.03. 2022 shall be carried out, till the next date,” Justice Thangkhiew said.

    The ‘traditional chiefs’ in their petition had urged the high court to set aside the MoU signed between the two northeastern states, claiming that it violated provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with special provisions for administration of tribal areas.

    SHILLONG:  The Meghalaya High Court has ordered an interim stay on physical demarcation or erection of boundary posts on the ground in connection with an interstate border pact signed by chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya earlier this year.

    Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and his counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma had in March signed an MoU for demarcating the border in at least six of the 12 contested locations that often raised tensions between the two states.

    Justice H S Thangkhiew ordered the interim stay till the next date of hearing on February 6, 2023, on a petition filed by four ‘traditional chiefs’ of Meghalaya.

    “It is however understood that during the intervening period, no physical demarcation or erection of boundary posts on the ground, pursuant to the MoU dated 29.03. 2022 shall be carried out, till the next date,” Justice Thangkhiew said.

    The ‘traditional chiefs’ in their petition had urged the high court to set aside the MoU signed between the two northeastern states, claiming that it violated provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with special provisions for administration of tribal areas.

  • Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal asks Hindus to adopt ‘Muslim formula’ of early marriage, FIRs filed

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Assam MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal stirred a hornet’s nest with his remarks that the Hindus should marry at a young age, so they can have more children like the Muslims.

    “Muslim boys get married at 22 while Muslim girls do it at 18. The Hindus keep one to three illegal wives till the age of 40 years and they do not allow babies to be born. They save money and enjoy,” Ajmal told a news channel in Assam’s Karimganj on Friday. 

    The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief continued in the same vein, “They marry after 40 years when forced by the parents or for other reasons. How can you expect to have more children if you marry at such an age? When you plough a fertile land and on time, you get a good harvest.”

    Suggesting that the Hindus adopt the “Muslim formula”, the Dhubri MP said they should arrange the marriage of their sons and daughters when they attain the age of 20-22 years and 18-20 years respectively. 

    In the wake of the protests, Ajmal withdrew his statement. “If what I said has hurt the sentiments of anybody, I take back my statement,” he told journalists on Saturday.

    At least two FIRs were filed against him in Guwahati and Hailakandi.

    Ajmal also made some alleged offensive remarks on “love jihad” targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The ruling BJP and opposition parties are now going for his jugular.

    ALSO READ | Headmaster in Assam wields machete in school, sent on leave

    “Ajmal is a contemporary edition of the harem culture of the Mughals, the Sultans and the Khiljis. In the medieval era, the Muslim aggressors built harems after killing Hindu men. Ajmal is trying to continue that culture,” BJP Assam spokesman Ranjib Kumar Sarma said.

    BJP MLA Diganta Kalita likened Ajmal to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and said the Assamese society would never accept the Arabic culture. 

    The AIUDF chief made the remarks soon after the CM had received an interim report from the Commission for Review & Assessment of Problems of Satra Land. Satras are Vaishnavite prayer centres and their lands are under encroachment.

    Kalita found a link between Ajmal’s statement and the latter’s vote-bank politics. “We all know that the Satra lands have been encroached upon by the migrant Muslims. Ajmal targeted the CM to protect his vote banks,” Kalita said.

    The Congress said the police should suo moto register a case against Ajmal for his attempt to break law and order.

    “I am surprised why organisations, which champion the cause of the Hindus, have not yet filed a case against him. We cannot tolerate such a communal statement that he made to counter our CM’s remarks on love jihad during the Gujarat election campaign,” Congress MLA and leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said.

    The Trinamool Congress registered its protest by burning Ajmal’s effigy in Guwahati. Calling him an agent of the BJP, the Trinamool demanded his arrest for insulting the Hindus and attempting to incite violence.

    GUWAHATI: Assam MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal stirred a hornet’s nest with his remarks that the Hindus should marry at a young age, so they can have more children like the Muslims.

    “Muslim boys get married at 22 while Muslim girls do it at 18. The Hindus keep one to three illegal wives till the age of 40 years and they do not allow babies to be born. They save money and enjoy,” Ajmal told a news channel in Assam’s Karimganj on Friday. 

    The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief continued in the same vein, “They marry after 40 years when forced by the parents or for other reasons. How can you expect to have more children if you marry at such an age? When you plough a fertile land and on time, you get a good harvest.”

    Suggesting that the Hindus adopt the “Muslim formula”, the Dhubri MP said they should arrange the marriage of their sons and daughters when they attain the age of 20-22 years and 18-20 years respectively. 

    In the wake of the protests, Ajmal withdrew his statement. “If what I said has hurt the sentiments of anybody, I take back my statement,” he told journalists on Saturday.

    At least two FIRs were filed against him in Guwahati and Hailakandi.

    Ajmal also made some alleged offensive remarks on “love jihad” targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The ruling BJP and opposition parties are now going for his jugular.

    ALSO READ | Headmaster in Assam wields machete in school, sent on leave

    “Ajmal is a contemporary edition of the harem culture of the Mughals, the Sultans and the Khiljis. In the medieval era, the Muslim aggressors built harems after killing Hindu men. Ajmal is trying to continue that culture,” BJP Assam spokesman Ranjib Kumar Sarma said.

    BJP MLA Diganta Kalita likened Ajmal to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and said the Assamese society would never accept the Arabic culture. 

    The AIUDF chief made the remarks soon after the CM had received an interim report from the Commission for Review & Assessment of Problems of Satra Land. Satras are Vaishnavite prayer centres and their lands are under encroachment.

    Kalita found a link between Ajmal’s statement and the latter’s vote-bank politics. “We all know that the Satra lands have been encroached upon by the migrant Muslims. Ajmal targeted the CM to protect his vote banks,” Kalita said.

    The Congress said the police should suo moto register a case against Ajmal for his attempt to break law and order.

    “I am surprised why organisations, which champion the cause of the Hindus, have not yet filed a case against him. We cannot tolerate such a communal statement that he made to counter our CM’s remarks on love jihad during the Gujarat election campaign,” Congress MLA and leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said.

    The Trinamool Congress registered its protest by burning Ajmal’s effigy in Guwahati. Calling him an agent of the BJP, the Trinamool demanded his arrest for insulting the Hindus and attempting to incite violence.

  • Assam CM Himanta emerges as BJP’s poster boy for election campaigns

    By PTI

    GUWAHATI: The BJP’s most prominent face from the North East, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has emerged as the party’s new poster boy for election campaigning, capturing eyeballs as its first-star campaigner from the region in faraway Gujarat and Delhi.

    Be it the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, imposition of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), PFI ban, Ram Janmabhoomi temple issue, communal angle to the recent killing of a girl by her live-in partner or the attack on Congress and his bete noire Rahul Gandhi, Sarma has left no stone unturned to push forward assertively the right-wing party’s key agenda in poll-bound Gujarat where the BJP has ruled for the last 27 years, barring a brief period of President’s Rule.

    Sarma, in the eyes of his supporters, of course, comes with the right credentials for the role.

    The passing of the Cattle Protection Act, calling for specific policy measures for slowing down minority population growth, closing down of government Madrasas and turning them into general schools, demolition of madrasas following arrest of teachers with alleged terror links, sealing of the ‘Miya’ (Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam) musuem, among others has brought him to the fore of polarisation politics, according to experts.

    The Chief Minister, however, during his campaign trail has hit back with questions like “does an Owaisi (Asaduddin Owaisi) alone have the right to polarisation. Do the Hindus not have the right to assert their glorious cultural and civilisational heritage? It is the media who term this as polarisation when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strived hard to restore our pride in ‘Sanatan Dharma’ which is the soul of our nation”.

    He has also dismissed the title of ‘star campaigner’ stating he is “no star but just an ordinary ‘karyakarta’ (worker) of the party and Gujarat leaders also go to Assam during elections”.

    Campaigning in Gujarat twice within a week, Sarma has focussed his attack on his erstwhile party – the Congress which he left in 2015 to join the BJP, and particularly on Rahul Gandhi who he alleged was more interested in feeding biscuits to his dog than in solving party’s problems.

    In each of his campaign, either in Gujarat or Delhi, he has attacked the Congress for following ”politics of appeasement” for the benefit of a particular community and even went on to refer to Gandhi resembling Saddam Hussain due to the beard he has kept during the ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

    Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, when asked about Sarma’s continuous attack on the Congress and Rahul, said that he has to ”please his masters for his political survival.

    The BJP resorts to polarisation politics at a time when the youth and people are talking about unemployment and price rise”.

    Political analyst Paresh Malakar pointed out that he highlights issues core to BJP’s communal agenda but added that the comments may also be construed as ”irresponsible”.

    “Apart from the communal angle, Sarma is trying to mislead and provoke,”, Malakar, also the General Secretary of civil society group Assam Nagarik Sabha, told PTI.

    Political analyst Chandan Sarma of Dibrugarh University claimed that it is well-documented that Sarma has been behind the success of BJP in the North East and that his stature is increasing in the national arena, too, as he ”boldly articulates the core BJP agenda on various issues”.

    Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) General Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan told PTI that even after being in power for so many years in Gujarat, “The BJP is not talking about development but engaged in communal polarization. Sarma can go to any extent to instigate people.”

    Assam Pradesh Congress President Bhupen Bora however told PTI that Sarma has been taken to Gujarat not to give speeches but for fund management.

    “The BJP government in the state has looted funds which the party is using for election purpose,” Bora alleged.

    The BJP, however, refutes these allegations with its Rajya Sabha MP Pabitra Margherita asserting the campaigning task recognises Sarma’s ability “to connect with people’s pulse, his practical and viable commitments and its timely implementation which has been noticed not only in the region but also in the rest of the country”.

    Besides, BJP encourages and empowers “new generation politicians and gives space to young leaders working for the nation’s development along with preserving ideological ethos,” Margherita said.

    GUWAHATI: The BJP’s most prominent face from the North East, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has emerged as the party’s new poster boy for election campaigning, capturing eyeballs as its first-star campaigner from the region in faraway Gujarat and Delhi.

    Be it the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, imposition of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), PFI ban, Ram Janmabhoomi temple issue, communal angle to the recent killing of a girl by her live-in partner or the attack on Congress and his bete noire Rahul Gandhi, Sarma has left no stone unturned to push forward assertively the right-wing party’s key agenda in poll-bound Gujarat where the BJP has ruled for the last 27 years, barring a brief period of President’s Rule.

    Sarma, in the eyes of his supporters, of course, comes with the right credentials for the role.

    The passing of the Cattle Protection Act, calling for specific policy measures for slowing down minority population growth, closing down of government Madrasas and turning them into general schools, demolition of madrasas following arrest of teachers with alleged terror links, sealing of the ‘Miya’ (Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam) musuem, among others has brought him to the fore of polarisation politics, according to experts.

    The Chief Minister, however, during his campaign trail has hit back with questions like “does an Owaisi (Asaduddin Owaisi) alone have the right to polarisation. Do the Hindus not have the right to assert their glorious cultural and civilisational heritage? It is the media who term this as polarisation when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strived hard to restore our pride in ‘Sanatan Dharma’ which is the soul of our nation”.

    He has also dismissed the title of ‘star campaigner’ stating he is “no star but just an ordinary ‘karyakarta’ (worker) of the party and Gujarat leaders also go to Assam during elections”.

    Campaigning in Gujarat twice within a week, Sarma has focussed his attack on his erstwhile party – the Congress which he left in 2015 to join the BJP, and particularly on Rahul Gandhi who he alleged was more interested in feeding biscuits to his dog than in solving party’s problems.

    In each of his campaign, either in Gujarat or Delhi, he has attacked the Congress for following ”politics of appeasement” for the benefit of a particular community and even went on to refer to Gandhi resembling Saddam Hussain due to the beard he has kept during the ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

    Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, when asked about Sarma’s continuous attack on the Congress and Rahul, said that he has to ”please his masters for his political survival.

    The BJP resorts to polarisation politics at a time when the youth and people are talking about unemployment and price rise”.

    Political analyst Paresh Malakar pointed out that he highlights issues core to BJP’s communal agenda but added that the comments may also be construed as ”irresponsible”.

    “Apart from the communal angle, Sarma is trying to mislead and provoke,”, Malakar, also the General Secretary of civil society group Assam Nagarik Sabha, told PTI.

    Political analyst Chandan Sarma of Dibrugarh University claimed that it is well-documented that Sarma has been behind the success of BJP in the North East and that his stature is increasing in the national arena, too, as he ”boldly articulates the core BJP agenda on various issues”.

    Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) General Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan told PTI that even after being in power for so many years in Gujarat, “The BJP is not talking about development but engaged in communal polarization. Sarma can go to any extent to instigate people.”

    Assam Pradesh Congress President Bhupen Bora however told PTI that Sarma has been taken to Gujarat not to give speeches but for fund management.

    “The BJP government in the state has looted funds which the party is using for election purpose,” Bora alleged.

    The BJP, however, refutes these allegations with its Rajya Sabha MP Pabitra Margherita asserting the campaigning task recognises Sarma’s ability “to connect with people’s pulse, his practical and viable commitments and its timely implementation which has been noticed not only in the region but also in the rest of the country”.

    Besides, BJP encourages and empowers “new generation politicians and gives space to young leaders working for the nation’s development along with preserving ideological ethos,” Margherita said.