Rights body seeks action against Assam chief minister over minority remarks

By A Representative

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has called for the resignation of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that he has repeatedly violated his constitutional oath by making divisive and inflammatory statements targeting religious minorities in the state.

In a press statement, PUCL President Kavita Srivastava and General Secretary Dr. V. Suresh accused the Chief Minister of undermining the rule of law and breaching his oath of office to govern “without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.” The organisation said it was “deeply alarming” that a constitutionally elected Chief Minister was allegedly inciting hostility against Muslims and Christians, thereby violating the constitutional principles of equality and secularism.

The civil liberties group cited several past remarks attributed to Sarma, including his repeated use of the term “jihad” in reference to issues involving the Muslim community. It referred to statements made in August 2024 in which the Chief Minister allegedly accused the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, a Muslim-run institution, of engaging in “flood jihad” and blamed it for floods in Guwahati. PUCL also mentioned his claim that the university had a “Mecca-like structure,” which he allegedly described as symbolic of “jihad.” Additionally, the organisation referred to remarks in which Bengali Muslim farmers were accused of practising “land and fertiliser jihad” by using high quantities of fertilisers.

As Assam prepares for the 2026 state Assembly elections, PUCL alleged that the Chief Minister has intensified his rhetoric against Bengali-speaking Muslims, particularly those referred to as “Miyas.” The statement cited comments attributed to Sarma indicating that between four to five lakh “Miya voters” would be removed from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. It also referred to a speech dated January 28, 2025, in which the Chief Minister allegedly encouraged discriminatory behaviour against the community, including remarks suggesting that they should be “troubled” so that they would leave Assam.

PUCL further raised concern over a video circulated on February 8, 2026, described as the “point-blank video,” which purportedly showed the Chief Minister aiming and firing a rifle at images of two individuals, one wearing a skullcap and another with a beard. The wall in the background reportedly bore the words “No mercy.” According to PUCL, the video was later removed from the social media page of the BJP’s Assam unit following public outrage. The organisation claimed that the video reinforced what it described as a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric against Bengali Muslims and warned that such messaging could inflame tensions and potentially lead to violence.

The statement said that despite the deletion of the video, the Chief Minister’s past remarks amounted to repeated violations of his constitutional oath to “faithfully and conscientiously discharge” his duties and to “do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

PUCL also referred to a police complaint filed by former civil servant and social activist Harsh Mander at the Hauz Khas police station in New Delhi. Mander sought registration of an FIR against the Chief Minister under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including provisions related to promoting enmity between groups, making assertions prejudicial to national integration, malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and statements conducing to public mischief. According to PUCL, the complaint was based on public statements allegedly made by Sarma on January 27, accusing him of promoting hatred and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims.

The organisation also cited the Chief Minister’s response to the complaint, in which he reportedly said that he would file multiple cases against Mander and accused him of undermining the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Assam. Sarma has previously alleged that Mander attempted to influence the NRC process by helping include ineligible applicants.

Defending Mander, PUCL highlighted his long association with rights-based work, including his role as Special Commissioner appointed by the Supreme Court in the Right to Food case (PUCL v Union of India). The statement noted his involvement in documenting conditions in Assam’s detention centres and proceedings before Foreigners Tribunals, as well as his advocacy for homeless persons and victims of hate crimes. It alleged that he has faced investigations by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and Income Tax Department in connection with his activism.

PUCL described the Chief Minister’s remarks as a “complete repudiation” of his oath of office and accused him of promoting divisiveness rather than fraternity. It contended that his statements demonstrate an unwillingness to govern on behalf of all communities in Assam, particularly Muslims, thereby undermining the constitutional mandate of equality before law.

Calling him a “serial violator” of constitutional norms, PUCL demanded that Sarma resign from office. The organisation also urged the Prime Minister to take action under Article 355 of the Constitution to ensure that the state is governed in accordance with constitutional provisions.

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