Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, January 29, responded firmly to criticisms from the Opposition regarding his recent comments about “Miya Muslims.” He emphasized that the term is not one he invented, but rather one that the people of Bangladesh use to identify themselves.
In addressing the controversy, Sarma accused the Opposition of distorting his remarks for political advantage. “Those who have come from Bangladesh call themselves ‘Miya’. I did not give them that name; it is they who call themselves that,” he clarified, reaffirming that his statement was based on social usage rather than political labeling.
The Chief Minister expressed concern that the matter was being politicized unnecessarily. He stated his primary focus is on protecting Assam’s demographic balance and tackling issues related to illegal migration. Sarma criticized Opposition parties for allegedly seeking to divert attention from key issues by portraying his comments as communal.
Sarma’s clarification comes amid strong backlash from Opposition leaders, who argue that his statements are divisive and aimed at a specific community. Conversely, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended Sarma, asserting that his remarks were factual and taken out of context.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/i-didnt-coin-the-term-miya-himanta-biswa-sarma-defends-remark-amid-opposition-fire-1338253-2026-01-29?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-01-29 16:03:00
