Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday (Dec. 4) announced a statewide ban on the serving and consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels, and public places.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday (Dec. 4) announced a statewide ban on the serving and consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels, and public places. This decision triggered a political row, with the opposition calling the decision an attack on individual freedom. “We had earlier introduced a bill in Assam to protect cows, and we have been successful. Going further, we have decided that beef will not be served in any hotels or restaurants in the state. It will also not be served during any public function or in any public place,” CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Also read: Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM; Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar as deputy CMs Initially, restrictions applied only within a five-kilometre radius of temples, but the new decision extends the ban to all areas across the state. While beef consumption remains legal in Assam, The Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021 regulates cattle transportation and slaughter, and bans the sale of beef in areas with a majority population of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, as well as near temples and Vaishnavite monasteries (Satra). The decision invited criticism even from within the BJP. Kerala BJP Vice President Major Ravi cautioned against misinterpretation, urging Sarma to clarify what constitutes beef. “Beef is not cow but buffaloes and bulls. If you suddenly ban beef, it will send the wrong message to many people. People should have the freedom to eat what they want,” he said, warning against creating communal tensions. “First of all, you need to understand what is beef and what is cow, if you suddenly ban beef, this will give a wrong message to so many people…beef is not cow…(Assam) CM should not have said that…if somebody wants to eat, they should…there should be freedom to eat what you want…cow we worship…I haven’t seen any place where cows are being slaughtered. Beef is buffaloes and bulls. We shouldn’t give wrong message to people and create communal issues," he said. Watch: Indian PM Sends Delegation To Vatican To Witness Ordination Of Kerala Priest As Cardinal × Opposition leaders also strongly opposed the move. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan said, "This is against the right to freedom and if the government will continue interfering in personal lives then the nation will head towards dictatorship…It is the beauty of the country that we have people following different cultures, religions. These kinds of decisions are against the Constitution." Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi linked the announcement to political motives, accusing Sarma of attempting to divert attention from BJP's defeat in the Jharkhand elections. “In Jharkhand, BJP suffered a shameful defeat under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma…he is trying to hide his defeat and shameful loss, he has come up with this conspiracy. I believe that the way Jharkhand people defeated the politics of hatred and infiltrators, the same way in the coming election, people of Assam will punish the corrupt government of Himanta Biswa Sarma," Gogoi said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut questioned the inconsistency of such policies. “If Assam has imposed this ban, why not BJP-ruled states like Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, or Manipur? Why single out Assam?” he asked. (With inputs from agencies)

Assam beef ban triggers political outrage; opposition labels it ‘dictatorship’

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intensified his criticism of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), claiming that the building’s architecture resembles 'Mecca,' one of Islam’s holiest sites.&nbsp;

Just days after accusing the university of conducting a so-called "flood jihad," Sarma on Monday (Aug 12) asserted that the institution was undermining education and that the dome&nbsp;entrance symbolised 'jihad.'

Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier blamed the construction work at the university for the flash floods in Guwahati.&nbsp;

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Sarma said the university, situated in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, indulged in deforestation and cutting of hills, leading to the flash floods.

The university is operated by a foundation established by Mahbubul Hoque, a Bengali Muslim, who also serves as the chancellor.&nbsp;

Assam Chief Minister, referencing the three domes on the university's main gate, claimed that they resemble the architecture of Mecca and Medina.

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“It’s discomforting to go there; you have to go under ‘Mecca’. What we are saying is that there should be a namghar (community prayer hall, part of Assam’s neo-Vaishnavite tradition) also there. ‘Mecca-Medina’, church. Make all three… They have kept a ‘Mecca’ there. Let them make a namghar, make a church. We will walk under all three, why will we walk under just one,” The Indian Express quoted him as saying.

He accused the university administration of engaging in what he termed the "father of jihad."

“When I spoke about Meghalaya University of Science and Technology (USTM), everyone criticised me. But earlier, Tarun Gogoi had said that Jorabat is the main reason for floods in Guwahati,” he stated.

The Assam CM has claimed that the hills were cut towards Guwahati, not Meghalaya.

"Why did the hills cut towards Guwahati and not towards Meghalaya? Is this not flood jihad?" he said.

Last week, taking to X, Sarma posted satellite images of Meghalaya's Greater Jorabat Hills and said, "After the recent flash floods in Guwahati, we have gone through satellite images of Meghalaya's Greater Jorabat Hills, located 6-7 km from the city. The deforestation where USTM University is located is self-explanatory. But my concern is not just the area near USTM. Below is a time-lapse video of the destruction in other regions of the Greater Jorabat Hills in Meghalaya. It also explains how a cloud burst here leads to rapid floods in Guwahati, like the one recently. We will work with Meghalaya Govt to protect our shared habitats."

Slamming Sarma for his remark, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi wrote on X, “Can someone stop the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa, from his jihad of repeated nonsense? It is simply an exaggerated cover-up for his failures and scams."

(With inputs from agencies)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intensified his criticism of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), claiming that the building’s architecture resembles 'Mecca,' one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intensified his criticism of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), claiming that the building’s architecture resembles 'Mecca,' one of Islam’s holiest sites. Just days after accusing the university of conducting a so-called "flood jihad," Sarma on Monday (Aug 12) asserted that the institution was undermining education and that the dome entrance symbolised 'jihad.' Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier blamed the construction work at the university for the flash floods in Guwahati. Also read: Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India won’t affect bilateral ties: Foreign adviser Sarma said the university, situated in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, indulged in deforestation and cutting of hills, leading to the flash floods. The university is operated by a foundation established by Mahbubul Hoque, a Bengali Muslim, who also serves as the chancellor. Assam Chief Minister, referencing the three domes on the university's main gate, claimed that they resemble the architecture of Mecca and Medina. Also read: Kolkata doctor rape & murder case: Victim was bleeding from eyes, private parts, says autopsy report “It’s discomforting to go there; you have to go under ‘Mecca’. What we are saying is that there should be a namghar (community prayer hall, part of Assam’s neo-Vaishnavite tradition) also there. ‘Mecca-Medina’, church. Make all three… They have kept a ‘Mecca’ there. Let them make a namghar, make a church. We will walk under all three, why will we walk under just one,” The Indian Express quoted him as saying. He accused the university administration of engaging in what he termed the "father of jihad." “When I spoke about Meghalaya University of Science and Technology (USTM), everyone criticised me. But earlier, Tarun Gogoi had said that Jorabat is the main reason for floods in Guwahati,” he stated. The Assam CM has claimed that the hills were cut towards Guwahati, not Meghalaya. "Why did the hills cut towards Guwahati and not towards Meghalaya? Is this not flood jihad?" he said. Last week, taking to X, Sarma posted satellite images of Meghalaya's Greater Jorabat Hills and said, "After the recent flash floods in Guwahati, we have gone through satellite images of Meghalaya's Greater Jorabat Hills, located 6-7 km from the city. The deforestation where USTM University is located is self-explanatory. But my concern is not just the area near USTM. Below is a time-lapse video of the destruction in other regions of the Greater Jorabat Hills in Meghalaya. It also explains how a cloud burst here leads to rapid floods in Guwahati, like the one recently. We will work with Meghalaya Govt to protect our shared habitats." Slamming Sarma for his remark, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi wrote on X, “Can someone stop the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa, from his jihad of repeated nonsense? It is simply an exaggerated cover-up for his failures and scams." (With inputs from agencies)

Assam Chief Minister questions Meghalaya university's gate design, compares it to Mecca

In what comes as an intriguing decision, 300 police officers in the Indian northeastern state of Assam have been offered voluntary retirement for being 'habitual drinkers'. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed about the decision on Sunday (April 30).&nbsp;

Speaking to reporters, Sarma said,&nbsp;“About 300 officers and jawans are habitual drinkers, and consumption of too much alcohol has damaged their bodies."

"The government has a provision for a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for them. It is an old rule, but we had not implemented it earlier,” he added.&nbsp;

<h2>Vacancies to be filled</h2>

The CM informed that the process had been initiated to bring new recruits to fill the vacancies. He added that the government was currently working on decentralisation of governance.

Reportedly, a motion has been set to open offices with power that previously rested with&nbsp;the deputy commissioners’ office in all 126 legislative assembly constituency areas of the state.&nbsp;

“We are trying to ensure people don’t have to travel to the district headquarters for work at the DC’s office, and that the DC’s office is available in every LAC area," said Sarma.&nbsp; 
 
“The DCs will look after law and order, and they will be given different responsibilities."

<h2>Sarma as the state CM</h2>

Sarma has been one of the biggest firebrand leaders of the BJP. He was a Congress leader till 2015 before switching lanes and joining BJP. Having served under former CM Sarbananda Sonowal,&nbsp;Sarma managed to pip him for the top state position after the 2021 assembly elections.&nbsp;

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<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-g20-sherpa-amitabh-kant-un-resident-coordinator-attend-model-g20-discussion-563162/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Since then, he has managed to steer the northeastern state, which usually used to be on the periphery of New Delhi's politics, into the mainstream.&nbsp;

Earlier this month,&nbsp;Sarma spearheaded the border pact which ended&nbsp;a 50-year-old dispute with the neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh. In&nbsp;the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the pact was signed which brings settlement to 123 villages located along areas the two northeastern states share.

Sarma termed the signing of the MoU as historic and said the deal would be a harbinger of peace and prosperity. He said after 51 years, one of India's longest-running inter-state disputes comes to a decisive end&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Shah added, "It is a big moment for the entire northeastern region which has been witnessing all-round development ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-child-marriage-crackdown-in-indias-assam-what-really-happened-563186">ALSO READ |&nbsp;EXPLAINED | Crackdown on child marriage in India's Assam: What really happened?</a>

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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In what comes as an intriguing decision, 300 police officers in the Indian northeastern state of Assam have been offered voluntary retirement for being 'habitual drinkers'.

In what comes as an intriguing decision, 300 police officers in the Indian northeastern state of Assam have been offered voluntary retirement for being 'habitual drinkers'. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed about the decision on Sunday (April 30). Speaking to reporters, Sarma said, “About 300 officers and jawans are habitual drinkers, and consumption of too much alcohol has damaged their bodies." "The government has a provision for a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for them. It is an old rule, but we had not implemented it earlier,” he added. Vacancies to be filled The CM informed that the process had been initiated to bring new recruits to fill the vacancies. He added that the government was currently working on decentralisation of governance. Reportedly, a motion has been set to open offices with power that previously rested with the deputy commissioners’ office in all 126 legislative assembly constituency areas of the state. “We are trying to ensure people don’t have to travel to the district headquarters for work at the DC’s office, and that the DC’s office is available in every LAC area," said Sarma. “The DCs will look after law and order, and they will be given different responsibilities." Sarma as the state CM Sarma has been one of the biggest firebrand leaders of the BJP. He was a Congress leader till 2015 before switching lanes and joining BJP. Having served under former CM Sarbananda Sonowal, Sarma managed to pip him for the top state position after the 2021 assembly elections. ALSO WATCH | India: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, UN Resident Coordinator attend Model G20 discussion Since then, he has managed to steer the northeastern state, which usually used to be on the periphery of New Delhi's politics, into the mainstream. Earlier this month, Sarma spearheaded the border pact which ended a 50-year-old dispute with the neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh. In the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the pact was signed which brings settlement to 123 villages located along areas the two northeastern states share. Sarma termed the signing of the MoU as historic and said the deal would be a harbinger of peace and prosperity. He said after 51 years, one of India's longest-running inter-state disputes comes to a decisive end Meanwhile, Shah added, "It is a big moment for the entire northeastern region which has been witnessing all-round development ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014." ALSO READ | EXPLAINED | Crackdown on child marriage in India's Assam: What really happened? (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Assam govt offers voluntary retirement to 300 police officers for being ‘habitual drinkers’

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Assam beef ban triggers political outrage; opposition labels it ‘dictatorship’

Assam Chief Minister questions Meghalaya university's gate design, compares it to Mecca

India: Assam govt offers voluntary retirement to 300 police officers for being ‘habitual drinkers’