Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 1, marking his 57th birthday. In a post on X, Modi praised Sarma’s leadership and highlighted the progress Assam has achieved during his tenure. He stated, “Warm birthday wishes to Assam CM Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma Ji. Under his leadership, Assam has made remarkable progress in various sectors. Praying for his long and healthy life in service of the people.”
Sarma’s birthday coincides with growing political controversy surrounding his recent sharp comments directed at Gaurav Gogoi, the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). On January 31, Sarma accused Congress leaders of placing the interests of illegal Bangladeshi migrants above those of indigenous Assamese people. Responding to allegations from Gogoi, Sarma asserted that Congress “only cares about illegal Bangladeshi migrants” and has little regard for locals, insisting, “A thousand Gaurav Gogoi and Rahul Gandhi will be able to do nothing as far as I am concerned. Right now, the situation is very crucial for Assamese people, and it is about their existence in the state.”
These statements come amid a heated political climate regarding illegal immigration, especially regarding Sarma’s use of the term “Miya Muslims.” Sarma defended his language by stating he did not invent the term, which he claims is used within the community to refer to Bangladeshi migrants.
In a follow-up post on X, Sarma encouraged critics to consider the Supreme Court’s comments on Assam and illegal migration. He stressed, “Those who are attacking me for my remarks on ‘Miyan’, a word used in Assam in the context of Bangladeshi Muslim illegal migration, should pause and read what the Supreme Court of India itself has said about Assam. This is not my language, not my imagination, and not political exaggeration.”
Sarma’s remarks have reignited intense political debates in Assam, focusing once more on immigration and identity, critical issues in the region’s discourse.
(Inputs from ANI)
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/pm-modi-extends-birthday-wishes-to-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-1339459-2026-02-01?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-02-01 09:24:00
