Guwahati : Amid an escalating political and ideological row over his remarks on “Miya Muslims”, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday invoked Mahatma Gandhi to defend his government’s stance against illegal immigration, asserting that protecting the State’s identity and constitutional rights cannot be equated with communal hatred.

Responding to criticism from Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, Sarma said that if Gandhi were alive today, he would have stood with the Assamese people in their struggle against what he described as illegal infiltration. The Chief Minister argued that history bears testimony to Gandhi’s role in safeguarding Assam’s territorial integrity during the Partition era.

“If Bapu was alive today, he would have stood with the Assamese people. History shows that his intervention saved Assam from becoming part of Pakistan. Standing up against illegal infiltration is not hatred – it is about protecting the rights, identity and future of the Assamese people,” Sarma said in a post on X.

Rejecting Tushar Gandhi’s assertion that he would have been removed from office in “Bapu’s India”, Sarma said democratic governments are changed only through elections and not by intimidation or attempts to undermine a constitutionally elected authority.

“Let me answer you very clearly: governments in a democracy are changed by the people through elections, not by threats or attempts to pull down an elected Chief Minister,” he said.

Tushar Gandhi had earlier criticised Sarma’s comments on “Miya Muslims”, terming them contrary to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of fostering divisive politics.

The exchange comes amid mounting criticism of Sarma’s recent remarks, in which he used the term “Miya” while referring to alleged illegal immigration from Bangladesh. The comments have triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and civil society groups, who have accused the Chief Minister of stigmatising a community.

Defending his position, Sarma cited Supreme Court observations to argue that concerns over demographic change in Assam are neither imagined nor politically motivated.

“Those attacking me for my remarks 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,” he said.

Referring to the 2005 Sarbananda Sonowal vs Union of India case, Sarma quoted passages warning of what he described as a “silent and invidious demographic invasion” of Assam, particularly in lower Assam districts, and its potential implications for national security and the geographical continuity of the Northeast.

The Congress, however, hit back strongly. Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of misusing the Supreme Court’s name to legitimise what he called divisive rhetoric.

“Dishonesty and shamelessness define Himanta Biswa Sarma’s politics. He is misusing the name of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The language he quotes was neither authored nor adopted by the Court,” Gogoi said.

Calling the move “deliberate contempt”, Gogoi alleged that Sarma was passing off an executive report as a judicial pronouncement to suit his political narrative.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally