Owaisi Targets Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Over ‘Miya Muslims’ Remark, Calls It Discriminatory
Mumbai: AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday launched a sharp attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his controversial remarks on “Miya Muslims,” accusing him of promoting discrimination and mocking him during a public rally in Telangana’s Nizamabad.
Addressing the gathering, Owaisi referred to Sarma’s recent comments suggesting that auto drivers identified as “Miya Muslims” should be paid less than the actual fare. Ridiculing the statement, Owaisi said, “He says if the fare is Rs 5, give Rs 4 to a Miya Muslim. Himanta Biswa Sarma, I am giving you these two rupees will you take it? I know you are a beggar for two rupees. Should I transfer it to your account?”
The AIMIM leader asserted that the Indian Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens and accused the Assam Chief Minister of encouraging prejudice against a particular community. “Our Constitution says everyone is equal. There should be no discrimination, whether you are the Prime Minister or a Chief Minister. But he says this should be done with Miya Muslims and tells them to go to Bangladesh to vote. What kind of thinking is this?” Owaisi asked.
Owaisi’s remarks come amid sustained attacks by CM Sarma on illegal immigration in Assam and his frequent use of the term “Miya Muslims,” which is commonly used to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims in the state.
Defending his position earlier, Sarma had said that he did not coin the term “Miya Muslims” and claimed it has long been used within the community itself, particularly by those who migrated from Bangladesh, to describe their identity.
The exchange has once again brought the politically sensitive issue of immigration, identity, and minority rights in Assam into sharp focus, with opposition leaders accusing the BJP-led state government of using divisive rhetoric, while the ruling party maintains it is acting in the interest of safeguarding Assam’s demographic and cultural balance.
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