Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma once again made controversial remarks about “Miyas,” or Muslims of Bengali origin, on Tuesday. These statements came as a “special revision” of the electoral roll is underway in the state. Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma said he has instructed BJP leaders to file complaints against “Miya” voters during this electoral roll revision. He said this would cause difficulties for the Miyas and make them understand that Assamese people still live here.
Preparing for a crackdown on Miyas
Sarma made it clear that he was not acting covertly. He instructed BJP workers to fill out Form 7 wherever possible so that Miyas would have to repeatedly visit offices and be harassed. Form 7 is used to remove a person’s name from the electoral roll. According to the Election Commission, filing a false complaint can result in up to a year in jail or a fine. The Chief Minister also said that “polarizing politics” will be necessary in Assam for the next 30 years, but he claimed it would be based not on religion, but on the Assamese and Bengali communities.
#WATCH | Guwahati: On the SIR, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "I am very happy that some people are getting disturbed in SIR. I have advised my BJP workers to give more and more complaints so that some people realise that there is still some kind of resistance in Assam…" pic.twitter.com/I61SYL4OBB
— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2026
Encouraging harassment of Miyas in daily life
Sarma encouraged people to harass Miyas in their daily lives. He suggested that if the rickshaw fare is five rupees, they should pay only four rupees to cause them trouble. He believes that such harassment will force Miyas to leave Assam. Sarma also said that if they are not harassed, Miyas will reach even the remotest parts of Assam. He appealed to people not to publish any news in favor of Miyas because it could lead to “love jihad.”
For the next 30 years Assam has to practice politics of polarisation – and this polarisation is a fight to save our identity. It is between indigenous people of Assam and illegal Bangladeshis. pic.twitter.com/kVizKc5PDh
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 27, 2026
The Miya community and political controversy in Assam
In Assam, the term “Miya” is used pejoratively for Muslims of Bengali origin, and they are often accused of being illegal immigrants. However, this community has now embraced the term and adopted it as part of their identity. In recent days, Chief Minister Sarma has made several controversial statements regarding the Miya Muslim community, including threats to strip them of their voting rights and evict them from their homes. Since the BJP came to power, Assam has witnessed several such eviction drives, primarily targeting the Bengali-speaking Muslim community. These incidents have further heightened social and political tensions in the state.
