Assam Minister’s Strong Stand: Protest Erupts Over Controversial Remarks on Bangladeshis

Assam Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Piyush Hazarika defended the disruption of an event in Delhi on Tuesday that featured former Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed, who faced backlash for her comments about Bangladeshis. A group, including members of the Hindu Sena, stormed the event, chanting slogans such as “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” “Jai Shri Ram,” and “Bangladeshiyon ko bahar nikalo,” which led to a brief commotion. Also present was former IAS officer Harsh Mander; the event was organized by a “People’s Tribunal” on Assam at the Constitution Club of India.

In a post on X, Hazarika labeled Hameed and Mander as Congress “loyalists” and “sympathizers” of Bangladeshi migrants. He accused them of being part of a movement aiming to “change the demography of Assam by legitimizing infiltrators.” Hazarika expressed his pride in seeing “Sanatani and Nationalist friends” confronting these individuals, stating that they represent a Cong ecosystem undermining Assam’s demographics.

Hameed’s controversial comments in a viral video prompted significant criticism. In the video, she stated, “What is wrong with being Bangladeshi? Bangladeshis are humans too, and the world is so big; they can live here (in India). They are not depriving anyone of their rights. Saying that they are depriving someone of their rights is troublesome, extremely mischievous and detrimental to humanity.”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju sharply criticized Hameed, sharing her video and asserting, “Misleading in the name of humanity. It’s about our land and identity. Why are minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs in Bangladesh and Pakistan persecuted and tortured? Hameed, although close to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, should not support illegal migrants.”

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also condemned Hameed, accusing her of legitimizing illegal infiltrators. He tweeted, “People like Syeda Hameed, a close confidant of the Gandhi family, legitimize illegal infiltrators who seek to fulfill Jinnah’s dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan. Today, Assamese identity is on the brink of extinction because of the tacit support of people like her. We will fight to save our State and our identity.” Sarma asserted that “Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam” and that those sympathizing with them should accommodate them elsewhere.

As Hameed’s remarks spread on social media, they faced intense backlash. Responding to the protest disruptions on Tuesday, she expressed concern about the implications of such crowd behavior. Hameed reflected on her childhood experiences during the partition, noting that the sudden outbursts at the Constitution Club reminded her of those traumatic memories. She warned of the potential spread of such tensions across India, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

Original Source: https://news.abplive.com/cities/assam-minister-pijush-hazarika-backs-protest-against-syeda-hameed-bangladeshis-can-live-in-india-delhi-1796744
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Publish Date: 2025-08-26 22:04:00