HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 10: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday alleged that beef is being “weaponised” to intimidate Hindu communities in the state, referring incidents where the meat was purportedly discarded in public areas following Eid celebrations last week.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP state headquarters, Sarma claimed the act was a deliberate provocation aimed at changing the social dynamics in mixed-population areas.
Related Posts:
“Earlier, Muslim families living in Hindu localities used to be mindful of sentiments. Now, leftovers are being thrown around to force Hindus out,” he said.
He cited instances of beef allegedly found near places such as Cotton University in Guwahati.
“Eating beef during Eid is a personal choice, but it cannot be used to provoke or insult others,” Sarma asserted, lamenting the lack of public protests over the incidents.
He added that only three Muslim individuals had reached out to express disapproval.
Warning of further escalation, the Chief Minister said, “At this rate, in 20 years, beef could be thrown in front of the Kamakhya temple.”
He urged law enforcement to act decisively, but stressed that public support was essential to maintain order.
Shifting focus to illegal immigration, Sarma reiterated the need for a “non-compromising” stance, claiming Assam faces a demographic and political threat from foreign nationals.
He asserted that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi supports the state in its effort to “push back” illegal migrants, much of the resistance is coming from within Assam itself.
“PM Modi alone cannot protect us. The Assamese people must take the lead,” he said, comparing the situation in Assam to Gujarat, where he claimed illegal foreigners were expelled without legal resistance.
Sarma also criticised the Congress and its legislative party leader Debabrata Saikia for allegedly opposing the deportation of illegal migrants.
He referenced Saikia’s comments in the Assembly citing Jawaharlal Nehru’s objection to the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, which empowers local officials to remove foreigners.
“This shows Nehru’s pro-foreigner stance goes back decades,” he remarked.
Claiming that Assam is the target of global sympathy networks, Sarma said nearly 3,000 Facebook accounts based in cities like Islamabad, Dhaka, and Riyadh routinely post about Assam and Palestine.
“We are a state surrounded by enemies,” he said, adding that information gathered from such sources would be handed over to the Centre for further action, potentially involving agencies like Interpol.
