Guwahati: Members of the opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Tuesday walked out of the Assam Legislative Assembly after the Speaker disallowed their adjournment motion seeking a discussion on alleged remarks by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma concerning the Miya community.
Moving the motion, AIUDF legislator Aminul Islam accused the Chief Minister of making statements that he claimed were “provocative” and capable of inciting hostility against the community. He alleged that such comments had led to incidents of harassment, particularly in parts of Upper Assam, where some individuals were reportedly assaulted and pressured to leave their places of work.
Islam further claimed that groups of youths in certain Upper Assam districts had gone door to door searching for members of the Miya community and warning property owners against renting houses to Bengali-speaking Muslims. He asserted that residents were being prevented from freely moving within the state for employment and alleged that law enforcement agencies had failed to act against those taking the law into their own hands.
Arguing that the developments were recent and serious, the MLA maintained that the matter warranted immediate discussion through an adjournment motion.
Speaker Biswajit Daimary, however, said while the issue was significant, it could be raised during the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address, where members would have the opportunity to seek clarifications from the Chief Minister. He also pointed out that since a ‘vote on account’ was scheduled to be presented during the day’s proceedings, the rules did not permit admission of an adjournment motion. The Speaker subsequently rejected the notice.
Following the ruling, AIUDF legislators staged a protest inside the House, raising slogans before walking out in opposition to the decision.
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The term ‘Miya’ has historically been used as a pejorative reference to Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, who are often labelled by some as immigrants from Bangladesh. In recent years, however, sections of the community have reclaimed the term as a form of assertion and identity.
In recent days, the Chief Minister has made several remarks targeting the community, stating that members would continue to face difficulties as long as his government remains in office.
