NEW DELHI, Nov 3: The leaders of the INDIA bloc have written to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand to take immediate strictest action against the “inflammatory and divisive speeches” being delivered by the Assam chief minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma during an election rally in the state.
In the letter to Electoral Officer, the INDIA bloc leaders said Mr Sarma targeted Muslim minorities in his speech delivered on November 1 in Sarath, Jharkhand. The INDIA bloc leaders said the speech given by Mr Sarma was an example of the divisive politics being promoted by him and the BJP.
“It clearly establish that by stoking the flames of hatred and resentment, Sarma seeks to polarize the electorate and consolidate power for his agenda,” the letter said.” “In the election speech makes it obvious that through his inflammatory speeches, laden with prejudice and discrimination and replete with divisive language, Sarma is trying to ignite social unrest and jeopardize the election process,” the letter said.
They stated that his speech not only undermines the democratic process but also was against the fundamental structure of Constitution. “Our party is apprehensive that extremist ideologies and hate crimes can happen as a direct result of the toxic environment created by such rhetoric of Himanta Biswa Sarma. Clearly, the BJP and Sarma want to focus on divisive issues to divert attention from the real problems facing our state, especially in light of the total failure of the Central Government led by the BJP in controlling inflation and rising unemployment rates in the country,” the letter said.
Condemning Mr Sarma’s speech, the INDIA bloc leaders urged the Election Commission to take strong action against him. “Jharkhand Mukti Morcha condemns such rhetoric unequivocally and we feel that it is essential to hold those who engage in hate speech be held accountable for their actions. The Election Commission must take very strong action against his hateful and divisive words and legal frameworks should be strengthened to address hate speech and incitement to violence,” the letter said.
“If no action is taken by the Commission in the next 24 hours, we will be constrained to move to appropriate legal forums for legal remedy in which the Commission will then have to explain its failure to constrain this highly deplorable action of Himanta Biswa Sarma,” it added.
Earlier several police complaints were also lodged against Mr Sarma in Assam for alleged hate speeches against Bengali-speaking Muslims, often referred to as ‘Miya’ in the State. This followed the Chief Minister’s statement a few days ago reportedly blaming the skyrocketing prices of vegetables on the monopoly of ‘Miya’ cultivators and traders while urging the Assamese youth to take up farming and other commercial activities to push the ‘Miyas’ out of business.
The first complaint was lodged by the Asom Sankhyalaghu Sangram Parishad at the Nagaon Sadar police station in central Assam. The minority organisation said the Chief Minister was promoting hatred between the ‘Miya’ and the Assamese communities with his controversial remarks.
Assam’s Rajya Sabha member, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan lodged a complaint against Mr Sarma at the Dispur police station. The Assembly and Secretariat falls within the jurisdiction of this police station in Guwahati. “The Chief Minister has targeted a particular community. There is a stringent law in Supreme Court against those making communal remarks,” Mr Bhuyan said, demanding Mr Sarma’s arrest.
The Assam State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also lodged a complaint against the Chief Minister for hate speech at the Latasil police station in central Guwahati. “…Chief Minister of Assam, has been making hate speeches on communal lines with an ulterior motive to create division and tensions between two religious communities — Hindus and Muslims,” the complaint signed by State Secretary Suprakash Talukdar and Central Committee Member Isfaqur Rahman read.
The Assam unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) wrote to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court requesting judicial action against Mr Sarma for violating its April 28 order related to hate speech. The party also sought the initiation of Suo-motu contempt proceedings against the Assam government.
“The Chief Minister’s opinion about the Miya community, making them responsible for the price hike of essential commodities in Assam and snatching jobs from the Assamese youths, clearly indicates the divisive politics played by the BJP and its leaders,” State TMC president Ripun Bora said.
Mr Sarma, however, dismissed all allegations against him of making hate speeches. He maintained that talking about Hindus did not mean targeting the Muslims.
(Manas Dasgupta)
