Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of showing concern only for Bengali-speaking Muslims while ignoring the broader Bengali community in her state. His remarks follow Banerjee’s public statements about alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states.
Addressing the media late Thursday night, Sarma challenged Banerjee to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in West Bengal if she genuinely cared for Bengalis. He stated that in Assam, Bengali Hindus have been integrated into Assamese society and live without fear or discrimination.
"They practise their religion, speak their language, and are fully part of Assamese society," Sarma said, defending Assam’s treatment of Bengali Hindus.
He then questioned Banerjee’s intent, "If she truly supports Bengali people, why has the CAA not been implemented in her state?" he asked, before alleging, "Mamata Banerjee only likes Muslim Bengalis."
Sarma warned that if Banerjee visited Assam with an agenda favouring only Muslim Bengalis, neither Assamese people nor Bengali Hindus would accept it.
"Bengali Hindus are safe in Assam, but TMC is only concerned about Bengali Muslims. If they love Bengali Hindus so much, then why did they oppose the CAA?" Sarma wrote.
His remarks were a response to Mamata Banerjee’s protest in Kolkata, where she took to the streets to condemn what she described as targeted harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-governed states.
"They are calling them Rohingya. Rohingya are in Myanmar, not here," Banerjee said.
"They are targeting 22 lakh poor Bengali-speaking migrant workers. I urge them to return home to Bengal, where they will be safe," she added.
She also reminded the BJP of Bengal’s role in the freedom struggle, questioning whether the party had forgotten the sacrifices made by Bengali freedom fighters, reported NDTV.
