<p>India’s north-eastern state of Assam on Thursday (Aug 29) approved a bill mandating Muslims to get their marriage and divorce registered with the government. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who hails from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), called the day “historic”, saying his next target would be the practice of polygamy.</p>

<p>The CM took to X to share why the state government chose to enact a new law, replacing the 1935 Act that had governed these matters in the state so far.</p>

<p>“This Act will now make it mandatory to register marriages with the Govt and cannot contravene the legal age of marriage of 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. It will also act as a strict deterrent against teenage pregnancy and improve overall growth of our girls,” Sarma said.</p>

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<p>He added that the bill would give girls in the state a life of dignity.</p>

<p>“I thank all the legislators who pledged their support to this Bill and Govt’s vision of preventing child marriage. This Bill is above party politics and is a means to give our girls a life of dignity,” the CM posted.</p>

<p>The bill, called as Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, was introduced earlier on Tuesday.</p>

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<p>The purpose of the bill is to do away with the Kazi system, under which a religious cleric would register the marriage. The new bill, however, doesn’t invalidate previous marriages registered under the Kazi system and will only apply to future marriages.</p>

<p>The government had initially struck down the British-era law in March through an ordinance. Now, the bill has got the assembly’s nod as well.</p>

<p>"We are not interfering with the marriages solemnised by Islamic rituals under Muslim Personnel Law at all. Our only condition is that Islam prohibited marriages will not be registered," the CM added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India’s north-eastern state of Assam on Thursday (Aug 29) approved a bill mandating Muslims to get their marriage and divorce registered with the government. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who hails from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), called the day “historic”, saying his next target would be the practice of polygamy.

India’s north-eastern state of Assam on Thursday (Aug 29) approved a bill mandating Muslims to get their marriage and divorce registered with the government. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who hails from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), called the day “historic”, saying his next target would be the practice of polygamy. The CM took to X to share why the state government chose to enact a new law, replacing the 1935 Act that had governed these matters in the state so far. “This Act will now make it mandatory to register marriages with the Govt and cannot contravene the legal age of marriage of 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. It will also act as a strict deterrent against teenage pregnancy and improve overall growth of our girls,” Sarma said. Also read: Taiwanese Americans for Harris stresses `enormous risk` for Taiwan if Trump wins elections He added that the bill would give girls in the state a life of dignity. “I thank all the legislators who pledged their support to this Bill and Govt’s vision of preventing child marriage. This Bill is above party politics and is a means to give our girls a life of dignity,” the CM posted. The bill, called as Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, was introduced earlier on Tuesday. Also read: Trump campaign was warned not to take photos at Arlington: Defence official The purpose of the bill is to do away with the Kazi system, under which a religious cleric would register the marriage. The new bill, however, doesn’t invalidate previous marriages registered under the Kazi system and will only apply to future marriages. The government had initially struck down the British-era law in March through an ordinance. Now, the bill has got the assembly’s nod as well. "We are not interfering with the marriages solemnised by Islamic rituals under Muslim Personnel Law at all. Our only condition is that Islam prohibited marriages will not be registered," the CM added. (With inputs from agencies)

India’s Assam abolishes Kazi system, mandates govt registration of Muslim marriages

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.'</p>

<p>Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier blamed the construction work at the university for the flash floods in Guwahati.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Sarma said the university, situated in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, indulged in deforestation and cutting of hills, leading to the flash floods.</p>

<p>The university is operated by a foundation established by Mahbubul Hoque, a Bengali Muslim, who also serves as the chancellor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assam Chief Minister, referencing the three domes on the university's main gate, claimed that they resemble the architecture of Mecca and Medina.</p>

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<p>“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.</p>

<p>He accused the university administration of engaging in what he termed the "father of jihad."</p>

<p>“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.</p>

<p>The Assam CM has claimed that the hills were cut towards Guwahati, not Meghalaya.</p>

<p>"Why did the hills cut towards Guwahati and not towards Meghalaya? Is this not flood jihad?" he said.</p>

<p>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."</p>

<p>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."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


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

<p>Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said his government will soon introduce a law for life imprisonment in cases of ‘land&nbsp;jihad’ and ‘love jihad’.</p>

<p>He also said several measures have been initiated to “protect” land rights and government jobs for indigenous people.</p>

<p>Speaking at the state BJP’s extended executive meet here, Sarma said, “We spoke about ‘love jihad’ during the elections. Soon, we will bring a law, which will award life imprisonment in such cases.” The term ‘love jihad’ is used by right-wing groups to allege a ploy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into religious conversion through marriage.</p>

<p>Sarma said a new domicile policy will also be introduced soon, under which only those born in Assam will be eligible for state government jobs.</p>

<p>Asserting that his government has been working to protect the rights of indigenous people, the CM said they have been accorded priority in the “one lakh government jobs” provided as per a pre-poll promise, which will be evident when the complete list is published.</p>

<p>In contrast, people of a “particular community” had got up to 30 per cent of constable jobs in the state police force under the Congress government, when the incumbent Dhubri MP was in charge of the Home Department, Sarma claimed, without elaborating further.</p>

<p>Congress’ Rakibul Hussain had won the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat in this year’s elections.</p>

<p>Sarma said that while “encroached land equal to the size of Chandigarh” has been freed from illegal settlers by his government, land equal to “20 times of the northern Union Territory” is still under the grasp of encroachers in the state.</p>

<p>Among other initiatives to protect land rights are a resolution to bring in a law to forbid sale of land to people of a “particular community” in undivided Goalpara district.</p>

<p>“The undivided Goalpara holds much importance for our Koch-Rajbongshi community. But, people of a particular community took away our land and made us minority in our own place,” he alleged.</p>

<p>Under the proposed new law, land owned by tribals and people belonging to Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Castes will not be allowed to be transferred in undivided Goalpara, he said.</p>

<p>Similarly, a law will be enacted to allow transfer of land in Barpeta, Majuli and Batadrawa, important centres for followers of Vaishnavism, among residents of these areas only, Sarma said.</p>

<p>“If the public wants more areas to be protected in a similar manner, we will do it. We know that we cannot chase away anyone to Bangladesh, but with the last ounce of power in us, we will work to secure the future of Assam,” he asserted.</p>

<p>The CM said the Assam government has also taken a decision regarding the sale of land between Hindus and Muslims.</p>

<p>He said though the government cannot prevent such a transaction, it has made it mandatory to take consent of the chief minister before going ahead.</p>

<p>The state government had issued a similar notification on March 7, stopping sale of land between two different communities for three months to avoid any possible “conflict on communal lines” ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>Sarma said another legislation will be enacted for creation of “micro tribal belts and blocks” to protect villages or small, scattered settlements of tribals outside the notified belts and blocks.</p>

<p>Referring to the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the chief minister claimed that the agitation was one of “deceit as not more than eight people have applied under it” in the state thus far.</p>

<p>Sarma said his government will be taking a “bold step” to clear the biometrics of nine lakh people, collected and “frozen” during updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).</p>

<p>He maintained that the BJP has been able to secure a third straight term at the Centre on the basis of its work for the masses, as he took a dig at the Congress for trying to downplay the saffron party’s winning streak.</p>

<p>“Congress has been trying to project as if their 99 seats are bigger than our 240 seats. Perhaps, it is so as per mathematics followed in Bangladesh or Pakistan, but it is not so in India,” he said.</p>

<p>Sarma also asserted that the BJP will return to power in the state in 2026 due to its welfare measures for people.</p>

<p>The CM expressed his gratitude to state party chief Bhabesh Kalita for forming a committee to go through the poll promises that have not been fulfilled yet, so that those can be accomplished within the next one year.</p>

<p>He said the BJP will contest the Bodoland Territorial Council, panchayat and zilla parishad elections on its own, and urged the party workers to work closely with its allies AGP and UPPL for the bypolls to five assembly seats.</p>

<p>Sarma also emphasised that the delimitation of panchayats should be carried out in such a manner that the “rights of the indigenous people are safeguarded”.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.</em></p>


Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said his government will soon introduce a law for life imprisonment in cases of ‘land jihad’ and ‘love jihad’.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said his government will soon introduce a law for life imprisonment in cases of ‘land jihad’ and ‘love jihad’. He also said several measures have been initiated to “protect” land rights and government jobs for indigenous people. Speaking at the state BJP’s extended executive meet here, Sarma said, “We spoke about ‘love jihad’ during the elections. Soon, we will bring a law, which will award life imprisonment in such cases.” The term ‘love jihad’ is used by right-wing groups to allege a ploy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into religious conversion through marriage. Sarma said a new domicile policy will also be introduced soon, under which only those born in Assam will be eligible for state government jobs. Asserting that his government has been working to protect the rights of indigenous people, the CM said they have been accorded priority in the “one lakh government jobs” provided as per a pre-poll promise, which will be evident when the complete list is published. In contrast, people of a “particular community” had got up to 30 per cent of constable jobs in the state police force under the Congress government, when the incumbent Dhubri MP was in charge of the Home Department, Sarma claimed, without elaborating further. Congress’ Rakibul Hussain had won the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat in this year’s elections. Sarma said that while “encroached land equal to the size of Chandigarh” has been freed from illegal settlers by his government, land equal to “20 times of the northern Union Territory” is still under the grasp of encroachers in the state. Among other initiatives to protect land rights are a resolution to bring in a law to forbid sale of land to people of a “particular community” in undivided Goalpara district. “The undivided Goalpara holds much importance for our Koch-Rajbongshi community. But, people of a particular community took away our land and made us minority in our own place,” he alleged. Under the proposed new law, land owned by tribals and people belonging to Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Castes will not be allowed to be transferred in undivided Goalpara, he said. Similarly, a law will be enacted to allow transfer of land in Barpeta, Majuli and Batadrawa, important centres for followers of Vaishnavism, among residents of these areas only, Sarma said. “If the public wants more areas to be protected in a similar manner, we will do it. We know that we cannot chase away anyone to Bangladesh, but with the last ounce of power in us, we will work to secure the future of Assam,” he asserted. The CM said the Assam government has also taken a decision regarding the sale of land between Hindus and Muslims. He said though the government cannot prevent such a transaction, it has made it mandatory to take consent of the chief minister before going ahead. The state government had issued a similar notification on March 7, stopping sale of land between two different communities for three months to avoid any possible “conflict on communal lines” ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Sarma said another legislation will be enacted for creation of “micro tribal belts and blocks” to protect villages or small, scattered settlements of tribals outside the notified belts and blocks. Referring to the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the chief minister claimed that the agitation was one of “deceit as not more than eight people have applied under it” in the state thus far. Sarma said his government will be taking a “bold step” to clear the biometrics of nine lakh people, collected and “frozen” during updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He maintained that the BJP has been able to secure a third straight term at the Centre on the basis of its work for the masses, as he took a dig at the Congress for trying to downplay the saffron party’s winning streak. “Congress has been trying to project as if their 99 seats are bigger than our 240 seats. Perhaps, it is so as per mathematics followed in Bangladesh or Pakistan, but it is not so in India,” he said. Sarma also asserted that the BJP will return to power in the state in 2026 due to its welfare measures for people. The CM expressed his gratitude to state party chief Bhabesh Kalita for forming a committee to go through the poll promises that have not been fulfilled yet, so that those can be accomplished within the next one year. He said the BJP will contest the Bodoland Territorial Council, panchayat and zilla parishad elections on its own, and urged the party workers to work closely with its allies AGP and UPPL for the bypolls to five assembly seats. Sarma also emphasised that the delimitation of panchayats should be carried out in such a manner that the “rights of the indigenous people are safeguarded”. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Assam CM announces new law to combat ‘land jihad, besides one for love jihad

<p>Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of the Northeastern Indian state of Assam said Wednesday (Jul 17) that the rising Muslim population in the state was a matter of 'life and death' for him. Sarma,&nbsp;from the&nbsp;ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said changing demography in Assam was concerning for his government as the Muslim population in the state has reached 40 per cent.</p>

<p>“Changing demography is a big issue for me. In Assam, Muslim population has reached 40% today. In 1951, it was 12%. We have lost many districts. This is not a political issue for me. It is a matter of life and death for me,” the BJP leader was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwi28MXVsK6HAxXIia8BHZrJIGEQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/assam-floods-death-toll-rises-to-66-over-22-million-people-displaced-738906" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/assam-floods-death-toll-rises-to-66-over-22-million-people-displaced-738906&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi28MXVsK6HAxXIia8BHZrJIGEQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">Assam floods: Death toll rises to 66, over 2.2 million people displaced</a></strong></p>

<p>Sarma is known for making statements targeting the Muslim community.</p>

<p>On July 1, the Assam CM attributed the rise in crime rate to a ‘particular religion’, without mentioning any community.</p>

<p>"I am not saying that crime is committed only by people of a particular religion but recent incidents since the just concluded Lok Sabha elections is a matter of concern," Sarma had said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwi28MXVsK6HAxXIia8BHZrJIGEQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-eight-people-have-applied-under-caa-prior-to-1971-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-741123" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-eight-people-have-applied-under-caa-prior-to-1971-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-741123&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi28MXVsK6HAxXIia8BHZrJIGEQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Only eight people have applied under CAA prior to 1971: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier in June, he said the opposition Congress was receiving votes from Bangladeshi 'minority community' in the Lok Sabha elections. He also alleged that the minority community is the only one that indulges in communalism.</p>

<p>“A particular religion openly went against our government in those states, and that religion has tremendous followers in those states. So that has made a difference. It is not a political defeat, because nobody can fight with a religion,” Sarma had said.</p>

<p>In an interview with Indian Express in May this year, Sarma said “Islamophobia is real for many Hindus”.</p>

<p>“Islamophobia is real for many of us. Because there are sections of Muslims in our country who hate the majority community. If you see my election speeches in Assam, I have not mentioned the Muslim word at all and I have campaigned intensely in Muslim-dominated areas. I have transformed a large section of Muslim community from being Hindu haters to those who can coexist with Hindus. Transformation has happened in many places in Assam, so the incidents of love jihad have come down, incidents of land grabbing have come down,” he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of the Northeastern Indian state of Assam said Wednesday (Jul 17) that the rising Muslim population in the state was a matter of 'life and death' for him.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of the Northeastern Indian state of Assam said Wednesday (Jul 17) that the rising Muslim population in the state was a matter of 'life and death' for him. Sarma, from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said changing demography in Assam was concerning for his government as the Muslim population in the state has reached 40 per cent. “Changing demography is a big issue for me. In Assam, Muslim population has reached 40% today. In 1951, it was 12%. We have lost many districts. This is not a political issue for me. It is a matter of life and death for me,” the BJP leader was quoted by news agency ANI as saying. Also read: Assam floods: Death toll rises to 66, over 2.2 million people displaced Sarma is known for making statements targeting the Muslim community. On July 1, the Assam CM attributed the rise in crime rate to a ‘particular religion’, without mentioning any community. "I am not saying that crime is committed only by people of a particular religion but recent incidents since the just concluded Lok Sabha elections is a matter of concern," Sarma had said. Also read: Only eight people have applied under CAA prior to 1971: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Earlier in June, he said the opposition Congress was receiving votes from Bangladeshi 'minority community' in the Lok Sabha elections. He also alleged that the minority community is the only one that indulges in communalism. “A particular religion openly went against our government in those states, and that religion has tremendous followers in those states. So that has made a difference. It is not a political defeat, because nobody can fight with a religion,” Sarma had said. In an interview with Indian Express in May this year, Sarma said “Islamophobia is real for many Hindus”. “Islamophobia is real for many of us. Because there are sections of Muslims in our country who hate the majority community. If you see my election speeches in Assam, I have not mentioned the Muslim word at all and I have campaigned intensely in Muslim-dominated areas. I have transformed a large section of Muslim community from being Hindu haters to those who can coexist with Hindus. Transformation has happened in many places in Assam, so the incidents of love jihad have come down, incidents of land grabbing have come down,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

India: ‘Matter of life and death,’ says CM Sarma as Muslim population in Assam reaches 40%

<p>Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on July 15 that eight people applied under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Assam before 1971, and only two of them appeared for the interview.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference at the Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati,&nbsp;Sarma said, "So far, eight people in Assam have applied under CAA prior to 1971, and only two have appeared for the interview."</p>

<p>He further stated that anyone who came to India before 2015 has the first right to apply for citizenship, and if they do not apply, a case will be lodged against them. “Anyone who came to India before 2015 has the first right to apply for citizenship under the CAA. If they don’t apply, we will lodge a case against them. This is a statutory instruction. We will deport those who came after 2015,” he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-caa-how-it-fastracks-citizenship-of-religious-minorities-from-parts-of-south-asia-699036">What is CAA? How it fast-tracks Indian citizenship of religious minorities from South Asian nations</a></strong></p>

<p>Regarding applicants who have ‘Foreigners Tribunals’ cases registered against them in Assam, he mentioned that if the cases were before 2015, they would be given a chance to apply for citizenship under CAA.</p>

<p>He also urged the Hindu Bengalis in Assam to apply, but they said they were Indians and would rather fight the case than apply under CAA. “If the cases are from before 2015, they have a chance to apply. If they don’t apply, proceedings will continue. We also requested the Hindu Bengalis in Assam to apply, but they said that they are Indian and would like to continue the proceedings rather than apply,” he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Indian Government announces implementation of CAA</strong></p>

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<p>Partha Pratim Majumdar, Secretary to the Government of Assam Home and Political Department, on July 5 sent a letter to the Special Director General of Police (Border) of Assam’s Srimantapur, restricting the forwarding of cases of persons belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain, and Christian communities who entered India prior to December 31, 2014, directly to the Foreigners Tribunals.</p>

<p>“In view of the above provision of law, the border police may not forward cases of persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain, and Christian communities who entered India prior to December 31, 2014, directly to the Foreigners Tribunals... A separate register may be maintained for this category of persons,” the letter read.</p>

<p>However, the letter mentioned that there would be no differential treatment available to anyone who entered Assam from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan after December 31, 2014, irrespective of their religion, and if detected, they would be sent straight to the Foreigners Tribunal for further action.</p>

<p>“This differential treatment will not be available to persons who entered Assam from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan after December 31, 2014, irrespective of their religion. Once detected, they should be immediately forwarded to the jurisdictional Foreigners Tribunal for further action,” the letter stated.</p>


Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on July 15 that eight people applied under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Assam before 1971, and only two of them appeared for the interview.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on July 15 that eight people applied under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Assam before 1971, and only two of them appeared for the interview. Addressing a press conference at the Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, Sarma said, "So far, eight people in Assam have applied under CAA prior to 1971, and only two have appeared for the interview." He further stated that anyone who came to India before 2015 has the first right to apply for citizenship, and if they do not apply, a case will be lodged against them. “Anyone who came to India before 2015 has the first right to apply for citizenship under the CAA. If they don’t apply, we will lodge a case against them. This is a statutory instruction. We will deport those who came after 2015,” he said. Also read | What is CAA? How it fast-tracks Indian citizenship of religious minorities from South Asian nations Regarding applicants who have ‘Foreigners Tribunals’ cases registered against them in Assam, he mentioned that if the cases were before 2015, they would be given a chance to apply for citizenship under CAA. He also urged the Hindu Bengalis in Assam to apply, but they said they were Indians and would rather fight the case than apply under CAA. “If the cases are from before 2015, they have a chance to apply. If they don’t apply, proceedings will continue. We also requested the Hindu Bengalis in Assam to apply, but they said that they are Indian and would like to continue the proceedings rather than apply,” he said. Also watch | Indian Government announces implementation of CAA × Partha Pratim Majumdar, Secretary to the Government of Assam Home and Political Department, on July 5 sent a letter to the Special Director General of Police (Border) of Assam’s Srimantapur, restricting the forwarding of cases of persons belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain, and Christian communities who entered India prior to December 31, 2014, directly to the Foreigners Tribunals. “In view of the above provision of law, the border police may not forward cases of persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain, and Christian communities who entered India prior to December 31, 2014, directly to the Foreigners Tribunals... A separate register may be maintained for this category of persons,” the letter read. However, the letter mentioned that there would be no differential treatment available to anyone who entered Assam from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan after December 31, 2014, irrespective of their religion, and if detected, they would be sent straight to the Foreigners Tribunal for further action. “This differential treatment will not be available to persons who entered Assam from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan after December 31, 2014, irrespective of their religion. Once detected, they should be immediately forwarded to the jurisdictional Foreigners Tribunal for further action,” the letter stated.

Only eight people have applied under CAA prior to 1971: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

<p>In a step closer to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a controversial legal framework aimed at standardising laws across all communities in India, Assam has scraped off&nbsp;Muslim Marriage Act.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This landmark move was taken in a cabinet meeting, details of which emerged late Friday (Feb 23) night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Providing information on&nbsp;the removal of the Assam Muslim Marriage &amp; Divorce Registration Act 1935, the state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X,&nbsp;"On 23.22024, the Assam cabinet made a significant decision to repeal the age-old Assam Muslim Marriages &amp; Divorces Registration Act."</p>

<p>He said that this act "contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21, as required by law."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-ex-mumbai-youth-congress-president-zeeshan-siddique-says-was-asked-to-lose-10-kg-to-meet-rahul-gandhi-693068">India: Ex-Mumbai Youth Congress President Zeeshan Siddique says was asked to lose 10 kg to meet Rahul Gandhi</a></p>

<p>In his statement, the chief minister noted that the move "marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Assam follows in footsteps of Uttarakhand&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This development aligns with Assam's vision for a Uniform Civil Code, following in the footsteps of Uttarakhand, which recently passed the controversial UCC bill 2024.</p>

<p>Three weeks ago the state assembly of Uttarakhand cleared UCC to “govern and regulate the laws related to marriage and divorce, successions, live-in relationships, and matters related thereto.”</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-sandeep-dhunia-alleged-mastermind-behind-1800-kg-pune-drug-bust-case-693044">Who is Sandeep Dhunia, alleged mastermind behind 1,800 kg Pune drug bust?</a></p>

<p>While speaking on&nbsp;the development in Assam, Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabarua reportedly indicated that all matters related to Muslim marriages and divorces would now fall under the Special Marriages Act.</p>

<p>Mallabarua said, "The CM had recently stated that we are moving towards Uniform Civil Code (UCC). In this journey, a very important decision has been taken. The Assam Muslim Marriage &amp; Divorce Registration Act 1935, under which 94 Muslim registrars are still functioning, has been repealed today."</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas | Did China hack into Indian government offices?</strong></p>

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<p>"The cabinet has today ended this Act and now under this act no Muslim marriage or divorce would be registered. Since we have a Special Marriages Act, hence we want all matters settled through that particular Act,"&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a step closer to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a controversial legal framework aimed at standardising laws across all communities in India, Assam has scraped off Muslim Marriage Act.

In a step closer to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a controversial legal framework aimed at standardising laws across all communities in India, Assam has scraped off Muslim Marriage Act. This landmark move was taken in a cabinet meeting, details of which emerged late Friday (Feb 23) night. Providing information on the removal of the Assam Muslim Marriage & Divorce Registration Act 1935, the state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X, "On 23.22024, the Assam cabinet made a significant decision to repeal the age-old Assam Muslim Marriages & Divorces Registration Act." He said that this act "contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21, as required by law." Also Read | India: Ex-Mumbai Youth Congress President Zeeshan Siddique says was asked to lose 10 kg to meet Rahul Gandhi In his statement, the chief minister noted that the move "marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam." Assam follows in footsteps of Uttarakhand This development aligns with Assam's vision for a Uniform Civil Code, following in the footsteps of Uttarakhand, which recently passed the controversial UCC bill 2024. Three weeks ago the state assembly of Uttarakhand cleared UCC to “govern and regulate the laws related to marriage and divorce, successions, live-in relationships, and matters related thereto.” Also Read | Who is Sandeep Dhunia, alleged mastermind behind 1,800 kg Pune drug bust? While speaking on the development in Assam, Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabarua reportedly indicated that all matters related to Muslim marriages and divorces would now fall under the Special Marriages Act. Mallabarua said, "The CM had recently stated that we are moving towards Uniform Civil Code (UCC). In this journey, a very important decision has been taken. The Assam Muslim Marriage & Divorce Registration Act 1935, under which 94 Muslim registrars are still functioning, has been repealed today." Watch | Gravitas | Did China hack into Indian government offices? × "The cabinet has today ended this Act and now under this act no Muslim marriage or divorce would be registered. Since we have a Special Marriages Act, hence we want all matters settled through that particular Act," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Assam scraps Muslim Marriage Act after similar move by Uttarakhand, paving way for Uniform Civil Code

<p>Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (Jan 25) said that the Congress party had become 'soft Naxalite' and that their slogans no longer align with the Gandhian philosophy or principles.</p>

<p>"Congress' politics has become 'soft Naxalite'. Their slogans don't reflect Gandhian principles anymore. I too was in Congress for 22 years. But it never had such slogans earlier. Congress had a soft slogan. I see that they have killed even the soul of Congress. Entire carcade was full of so-called Left people, Left-leaning people," Sarma said during a media briefing.</p>

<p>He further accused Rahul Gandhi of using a body double for his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (United India Justice March).</p>

<p>He alleged that the Congress leader sits inside a room created in the bus while the one who waves at the world is Rahul Gandhi's lookalike, reported some media houses.</p>

<p>"I have not seen but I have seen reports. Congress people told me that Rahul Gandhi generally sits inside the bus. Then who is sitting in the front who looks like Rahul Gandhi from far? This is another issue," he said.</p>

<p>"You people (media) think that you're clicking Rahul Gandhi's photos, but in reality, it is his body double," Sarma&nbsp;added.</p>

<p>He also accused the grand old party of instigating a communal clash in Assam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"What was this Yatra? Look at its timing. They had hatched a conspiracy to instigate a major communal clash in Assam. We had a glimpse of it in Guwahati. But their big conspiracy was to cross through Assam during the Ram Temple Pranpratishtha and a clash ensued in the state. But the people of our party and Ram Bhakts restrained themselves. They did not let anything untoward happen in Assam...I would like to tell Rahul Gandhi...people of Assam will see you in Lok Sabha for your arrogance," said the Assam chief minister.</p>

<p>"I give you this commitment today - Congress will get an even lesser number of seats in Assam and we will defeat them with a good margin. I promise you this today," he said in the presser.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cm-sarma-directs-police-to-register-case-against-rahul-gandhi-as-his-supporters-break-barricades-in-guwahati-682797">Also read: India: Assam CM asks police to file case against Rahul Gandhi after his supporters break barricades</a></p>

<h2><strong>Assam CM asks police to file case against Gandhi after his supporters break barricades</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier, the Congress party's yatra was barred from entering the northeast Indian city of Guwahati on Tuesday (Jan 23) which led to clashes between the party workers and police officers.</p>

<p>The Congress supporters, who broke the barricades and raised slogans, were force-stopped by police.</p>

<p>Sarma took to his official X account and said that he had instructed DGP GP Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd to break barricades.</p>

<p>"I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd," the chief minister posted on 'X' in response to a post of Youth Congress president Srinivas BV.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture.<br />
I have instructed <a href="https://twitter.com/DGPAssamPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DGPAssamPolice</a> to register a case against your leader <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a> for provoking the crowd &amp; use the footage you have posted on your… <a href="https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h">https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h</a></p>
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/1749697344818626706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the video footage shared by Srinivas on his handles will be used as evidence.</p>

<p>"These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such 'Naxalite tactics' are completely alien to our culture," the chief minister said.</p>

<p>"Your unruly behaviour and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now', he added.</p>

<p>In order to avoid traffic disruptions, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma&nbsp;had earlier said that the Yatra would not be allowed inside the city.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (Jan 25) said that the Congress party had become 'soft Naxalite' and that their slogans no longer align with the Gandhian philosophy or principles.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (Jan 25) said that the Congress party had become 'soft Naxalite' and that their slogans no longer align with the Gandhian philosophy or principles. "Congress' politics has become 'soft Naxalite'. Their slogans don't reflect Gandhian principles anymore. I too was in Congress for 22 years. But it never had such slogans earlier. Congress had a soft slogan. I see that they have killed even the soul of Congress. Entire carcade was full of so-called Left people, Left-leaning people," Sarma said during a media briefing. He further accused Rahul Gandhi of using a body double for his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (United India Justice March). He alleged that the Congress leader sits inside a room created in the bus while the one who waves at the world is Rahul Gandhi's lookalike, reported some media houses. "I have not seen but I have seen reports. Congress people told me that Rahul Gandhi generally sits inside the bus. Then who is sitting in the front who looks like Rahul Gandhi from far? This is another issue," he said. "You people (media) think that you're clicking Rahul Gandhi's photos, but in reality, it is his body double," Sarma added. He also accused the grand old party of instigating a communal clash in Assam. "What was this Yatra? Look at its timing. They had hatched a conspiracy to instigate a major communal clash in Assam. We had a glimpse of it in Guwahati. But their big conspiracy was to cross through Assam during the Ram Temple Pranpratishtha and a clash ensued in the state. But the people of our party and Ram Bhakts restrained themselves. They did not let anything untoward happen in Assam...I would like to tell Rahul Gandhi...people of Assam will see you in Lok Sabha for your arrogance," said the Assam chief minister. "I give you this commitment today - Congress will get an even lesser number of seats in Assam and we will defeat them with a good margin. I promise you this today," he said in the presser. Also read: India: Assam CM asks police to file case against Rahul Gandhi after his supporters break barricades Assam CM asks police to file case against Gandhi after his supporters break barricades Earlier, the Congress party's yatra was barred from entering the northeast Indian city of Guwahati on Tuesday (Jan 23) which led to clashes between the party workers and police officers. The Congress supporters, who broke the barricades and raised slogans, were force-stopped by police. Sarma took to his official X account and said that he had instructed DGP GP Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd to break barricades. "I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd," the chief minister posted on 'X' in response to a post of Youth Congress president Srinivas BV. These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture. I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your… https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024 × He said that the video footage shared by Srinivas on his handles will be used as evidence. "These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such 'Naxalite tactics' are completely alien to our culture," the chief minister said. "Your unruly behaviour and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now', he added. In order to avoid traffic disruptions, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that the Yatra would not be allowed inside the city. (With inputs from agencies)

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claims Rahul Gandhi uses 'body double' during yatra

<p>Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday (Jan 24) declared that he would ensure that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gets arrested after the Lok Sabha election, scheduled later this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sarma's statement comes at a time when the Gandhi scion is leading the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra through the northeastern state.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We will arrest Rahul Gandhi after the Lok Sabha Election. We will file a civil complaint against Rahul Gandhi for instigating violence and disobedience in Guwahati today," said Sarma.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said if his government took the action now, it would be called a "political move".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The whole intention of the Yatra was to disturb Assam and jeopardise the peace in Assam. We defeated this attention seeker of his motive and now let him do whatever he wants to do beyond Dhuburi," Sarma added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tempers have been flaring between the two leaders ever since the Congress leader started his campaign from the neighbouring state of Manipur. On Tuesday,&nbsp;Gandhi's procession faced a roadblock while attempting to enter the capital city of Guwahati.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal, were booked under charges of damage to public property, violence, provocation, and assault on police personnel by the Assam Police.</p>

<p>Sarma argued that Gandhi wanted to enter the city with a huge cavalcade which could have caused a law and order problem.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He had come with 3000 people and 200 vehicles How can this be allowed inside the city? They came and fought with the police," said Sarma.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/congress-party-pinning-hopes-on-bharat-jodo-yatra-20-2024-general-elections-674113"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Congress party pinning hopes on Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0? | 2024 General Elections</strong></a></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" data-gtm-yt-inspected-20="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-7="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/congress-party-pinning-hopes-on-bharat-jodo-yatra-20-2024-general-elections-674113/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>The war of words</strong></h2>

<p>On Wednesday (Jan 24), prior to resuming his campaign, Gandhi addressed a gathering and launched another verbal attack on Sarma, calling him the "most corrupt CM".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Chief Minister of Assam&nbsp;spreads hate all the time and takes away your (referring to the public) lands. He is the most corrupt chief minister," Gandhi said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-rahul-gandhi-resumes-bharat-jodo-nyay-yatra-in-assam-again-calls-himanta-sarma-corrupt-cm-683105"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;India: Rahul Gandhi resumes Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam, again calls Himanta Sarma ‘corrupt CM’</strong></a></p>

<p>The general elections are scheduled&nbsp;later this year and Congress has been looking to make up for the lost ground.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi led the first iteration of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' last year which led to a lot of chatter but ultimately did not translate into votes. The party lost elections to four assembly states, further denting its hopes of making inroads into BJP's vote share on the national level.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday (Jan 24) declared that he would ensure that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gets arrested after the Lok Sabha election, scheduled later this year.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday (Jan 24) declared that he would ensure that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gets arrested after the Lok Sabha election, scheduled later this year. Sarma's statement comes at a time when the Gandhi scion is leading the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra through the northeastern state. "We will arrest Rahul Gandhi after the Lok Sabha Election. We will file a civil complaint against Rahul Gandhi for instigating violence and disobedience in Guwahati today," said Sarma. He said if his government took the action now, it would be called a "political move". "The whole intention of the Yatra was to disturb Assam and jeopardise the peace in Assam. We defeated this attention seeker of his motive and now let him do whatever he wants to do beyond Dhuburi," Sarma added. Tempers have been flaring between the two leaders ever since the Congress leader started his campaign from the neighbouring state of Manipur. On Tuesday, Gandhi's procession faced a roadblock while attempting to enter the capital city of Guwahati. Many Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal, were booked under charges of damage to public property, violence, provocation, and assault on police personnel by the Assam Police. Sarma argued that Gandhi wanted to enter the city with a huge cavalcade which could have caused a law and order problem. "He had come with 3000 people and 200 vehicles How can this be allowed inside the city? They came and fought with the police," said Sarma. Watch | Congress party pinning hopes on Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0? | 2024 General Elections The war of words On Wednesday (Jan 24), prior to resuming his campaign, Gandhi addressed a gathering and launched another verbal attack on Sarma, calling him the "most corrupt CM". "The Chief Minister of Assam spreads hate all the time and takes away your (referring to the public) lands. He is the most corrupt chief minister," Gandhi said. Also read | India: Rahul Gandhi resumes Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam, again calls Himanta Sarma ‘corrupt CM’ The general elections are scheduled later this year and Congress has been looking to make up for the lost ground. Gandhi led the first iteration of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' last year which led to a lot of chatter but ultimately did not translate into votes. The party lost elections to four assembly states, further denting its hopes of making inroads into BJP's vote share on the national level. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma warns he will arrest Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

<p>Congress party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (United India justice march) was barred from entering the northeast Indian city of Guwahati on Tuesday (Jan 23), which led to clashes between the party workers and police officers.</p>

<p>The Congress supporters, who broke the barricades and raised slogans, were force-stopped by police.</p>

<p>In order to avoid traffic disruptions, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Sarma had earlier said that the Yatra would not be allowed inside of the city.</p>

<p>Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was welcomed with slogans and drum beats as crowds thronged the Guwahati Chowk in Khanapara.</p>

<p>"We have won as we have broken the barricades," AICC in-charge for Assam Jitendra Singh said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-ram-temples-grand-consecration-ayodhya-witnesses-massive-rush-of-devotees-682701">A sea of devotees throngs Ram Mandir following grand consecration</a></p>

<h2><strong>'We have broken barricades, but will not break the law', says Rahul Gandhi</strong></h2>

<p>Gandhi, while addressing the party supporters on the outskirts of the city said, "We have broken barricades, but will not break the law".</p>

<p>"You should not think we are weak. We have broken the barricades," he told his workers and supporters, calling them "babbar sher" (lion).</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Congress launches Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>He then went on to slam the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), stating that it blocked his programme at the university.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | A clash broke out between Police and Congress workers in Assam's Guwahati, during Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.<br />
<br />
More details awaited. <a href="https://t.co/WxitGxup3m">pic.twitter.com/WxitGxup3m</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1749688609010290773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They have cancelled my programme at the university. My programme was cancelled, but the students heard me outside," he said.</p>

<p>"Congress workers do not fear anyone," he said, adding that "we will defeat the BJP in Assam and form the Congress government soon."</p>

<p>He further lauded the police officers for doing their job well and launched a scathing attack against CM Sarma, calling him "corrupt".</p>

<p>"We know that police officers have done a good job and followed orders, with one person coming and lying down before the (yatra) bus. We are not against you. We are against the chief minister who is most corrupt. Our fight is with him," Gandhi said.</p>

<h2><strong>CM Sarma instructs DGP GP Singh to register a case against Gandhi for provoking crowd&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Sarma took to his official X account and said that he has instructed DGP GP Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd to break barricades.</p>

<p>"I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd," the chief minister posted on 'X' in response to a post of Youth Congress president Srinivas BV.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture.<br />
I have instructed <a href="https://twitter.com/DGPAssamPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DGPAssamPolice</a> to register a case against your leader <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a> for provoking the crowd &amp; use the footage you have posted on your… <a href="https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h">https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h</a></p>
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/1749697344818626706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the video footage shared by Srinivas on his handles will be used as evidence.</p>

<p>"These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such 'naxalite tactics' are completely alien to our culture," the chief minister said.</p>

<p>"Your unruly behaviour and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now', he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Congress party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (United India justice march) was barred from entering the northeast Indian city of Guwahati on Tuesday (Jan 23), which led to clashes between the party workers and police officers.

Congress party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (United India justice march) was barred from entering the northeast Indian city of Guwahati on Tuesday (Jan 23), which led to clashes between the party workers and police officers. The Congress supporters, who broke the barricades and raised slogans, were force-stopped by police. In order to avoid traffic disruptions, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Sarma had earlier said that the Yatra would not be allowed inside of the city. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was welcomed with slogans and drum beats as crowds thronged the Guwahati Chowk in Khanapara. "We have won as we have broken the barricades," AICC in-charge for Assam Jitendra Singh said. Also read: A sea of devotees throngs Ram Mandir following grand consecration 'We have broken barricades, but will not break the law', says Rahul Gandhi Gandhi, while addressing the party supporters on the outskirts of the city said, "We have broken barricades, but will not break the law". "You should not think we are weak. We have broken the barricades," he told his workers and supporters, calling them "babbar sher" (lion). WATCH | Congress launches Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur × He then went on to slam the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), stating that it blocked his programme at the university. #WATCH | A clash broke out between Police and Congress workers in Assam's Guwahati, during Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/WxitGxup3m — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024 × "They have cancelled my programme at the university. My programme was cancelled, but the students heard me outside," he said. "Congress workers do not fear anyone," he said, adding that "we will defeat the BJP in Assam and form the Congress government soon." He further lauded the police officers for doing their job well and launched a scathing attack against CM Sarma, calling him "corrupt". "We know that police officers have done a good job and followed orders, with one person coming and lying down before the (yatra) bus. We are not against you. We are against the chief minister who is most corrupt. Our fight is with him," Gandhi said. CM Sarma instructs DGP GP Singh to register a case against Gandhi for provoking crowd Sarma took to his official X account and said that he has instructed DGP GP Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd to break barricades. "I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd," the chief minister posted on 'X' in response to a post of Youth Congress president Srinivas BV. These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture. I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your… https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024 × He said that the video footage shared by Srinivas on his handles will be used as evidence. "These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such 'naxalite tactics' are completely alien to our culture," the chief minister said. "Your unruly behaviour and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now', he added. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Assam CM asks police to file case against Rahul Gandhi after his supporters break barricades

The King of Bhutan arrived in India for a 7-day official visit. The Bhutanese King was received by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati.

Bhutan King Wangchuck welcomed by Assam CM on a 7-day official visit to India

<p>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;</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters, Sarma said,&nbsp;“About 300 officers and jawans are habitual drinkers, and consumption of too much alcohol has damaged their bodies."</p>

<p>"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;</p>

<h2><strong>Vacancies to be filled</strong></h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>“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;<br />
<br />
“The DCs will look after law and order, and they will be given different responsibilities."</p>

<h2><strong>Sarma as the state CM</strong></h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;India: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, UN Resident Coordinator attend Model G20 discussion</strong></p>

<p><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></p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-child-marriage-crackdown-in-indias-assam-what-really-happened-563186"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;EXPLAINED | Crackdown on child marriage in India's Assam: What really happened?</strong></a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


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’

In pics: Death toll in Assam floods rises to 108, govt monitoring the situation

<p>A limited-edition Hublot watch that once belonged to the football legend late Diego Maradona was recovered from India’s northeastern Assam state on Saturday morning after it went missing from Dubai.</p>

<p>The watch, worth around Rs 2 million (approx. US $13,206) was allegedly recovered from an Assam resident who used to work in Dubai and had returned to India recently, the Assam Police said.</p>

<p>Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that it was recovered with assistance from Dubai Police.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In an act of international cooperation <a href="https://twitter.com/assampolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@assampolice</a> has coordinated with <a href="https://twitter.com/DubaiPoliceHQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dubaipoliceHQ</a> through Indian federal LEA to recover a heritage <a href="https://twitter.com/Hublot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hublot</a> watch belonging to legendary footballer Late Diego Maradona and arrested one Wazid Hussein. Follow up lawful action is being taken. <a href="https://t.co/9NWLw6XAKz">pic.twitter.com/9NWLw6XAKz</a></p>
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/1469519162938519552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>“In an act of international cooperation @assampolice has coordinated with @dubaipoliceHQ through Indian federal LEA to recover a heritage @Hublot watch belonging to legendary footballer Late Diego Maradona and arrested one Wazid Hussein. Follow up lawful action is being taken,” he said.</p>

<p>According to police, the accused person was working as a security guard at a company in Dubai in UAE that was storing the belongings of the late Argentinian footballer.</p>

<p>The accused is suspected to be involved in the theft of a safe in which the limited edition Hublot watch was also kept, Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said.</p>

<p>After working for a few days at the company, the accused returned to Assam in August, citing his father’s ill health as the reason.</p>

<p>After Dubai Police reached out to the Assam Police with information about the accused, the cops launched a massive hunt to trace his whereabouts.</p>

<p>Subsequently, Wazi Hussain was arrested from his residence at 4 am and the watch was recovered, he said.</p>

<p>Diego Maradona was seen wearing two Hublot Big Bang watches during the FIFA World Cup 2010 when Hublot launched its Maradona Big Bang Chronograph Limited Edition.</p>

<p>The watch has the football legend’s photo, with arms raised in victory, engraved on the back of the Hublot Big Bang Maradona case. It also has his signatures and jersey number.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A limited-edition Hublot watch that once belonged to the football legend late Diego Maradona was recovered from India’s northeastern Assam state on Saturday morning after it went missing from Dubai.

A limited-edition Hublot watch that once belonged to the football legend late Diego Maradona was recovered from India’s northeastern Assam state on Saturday morning after it went missing from Dubai. The watch, worth around Rs 2 million (approx. US $13,206) was allegedly recovered from an Assam resident who used to work in Dubai and had returned to India recently, the Assam Police said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that it was recovered with assistance from Dubai Police. In an act of international cooperation @assampolice has coordinated with @dubaipoliceHQ through Indian federal LEA to recover a heritage @Hublot watch belonging to legendary footballer Late Diego Maradona and arrested one Wazid Hussein. Follow up lawful action is being taken. pic.twitter.com/9NWLw6XAKz — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 11, 2021 × “In an act of international cooperation @assampolice has coordinated with @dubaipoliceHQ through Indian federal LEA to recover a heritage @Hublot watch belonging to legendary footballer Late Diego Maradona and arrested one Wazid Hussein. Follow up lawful action is being taken,” he said. According to police, the accused person was working as a security guard at a company in Dubai in UAE that was storing the belongings of the late Argentinian footballer. The accused is suspected to be involved in the theft of a safe in which the limited edition Hublot watch was also kept, Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said. After working for a few days at the company, the accused returned to Assam in August, citing his father’s ill health as the reason. After Dubai Police reached out to the Assam Police with information about the accused, the cops launched a massive hunt to trace his whereabouts. Subsequently, Wazi Hussain was arrested from his residence at 4 am and the watch was recovered, he said. Diego Maradona was seen wearing two Hublot Big Bang watches during the FIFA World Cup 2010 when Hublot launched its Maradona Big Bang Chronograph Limited Edition. The watch has the football legend’s photo, with arms raised in victory, engraved on the back of the Hublot Big Bang Maradona case. It also has his signatures and jersey number. (With inputs from agencies)

Maradona’s stolen watch worth Rs 2 million recovered from India’s Assam, 1 arrested

<p>Newly sworn-in Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the aim of his government is to make the state one of the top five in India in the next five years.</p>

<p>"We will start working from tomorrow to achieve this objective," Sarma told reporters here after taking oath.</p>

<p>The NEDA convenor said the prime focus of the second BJP government in Assam will be to control the COVID-19 pandemic, fulfil all poll promises and make the state free from the annual flood havoc.</p>

<p>"The COVID-19 situation in Assam is alarming. Our daily cases have crossed the 5,000-mark. In our cabinet meeting tomorrow, we will discuss it from all perspectives, and take measures," Sarma said.</p>

<p>Unless the pandemic is controlled in Assam, cases will not go down in other northeastern states, he said.</p>

<p>Sarma also appealed to the insurgent groups, especially the ULFA(I), to lay down arms and be a part of the mainstream to establish peace in the state.</p>

<p>"I request Paresh Barua to come to the discussion table and resolve issues. Kidnappings and killings complicate problems, not solve them. I hope we will be able to make the underground insurgents return to the mainstream in the next five years," the CM said.</p>

<p>Asked about the contentious National Register of Citizens (NRC), the chief minister said his government wants reverification of 20 per cent names in the border districts of Assam, and 10 per cent in other areas.</p>

<p>"If very negligible error is found, then we can proceed with the existing NRC. But, if there are huge anomalies, I hope the court will take note and do the needful with a new perspective," he said without elaborating.</p>

<p>On BJP's assurance of bringing in law against 'love jihad', Sarma said: "Every promise was meant for implementation. We will do everything possible to fulfil them."&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Newly sworn-in Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the aim of his government is to make the state one of the top five in India in the next five years.

Newly sworn-in Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the aim of his government is to make the state one of the top five in India in the next five years. "We will start working from tomorrow to achieve this objective," Sarma told reporters here after taking oath. The NEDA convenor said the prime focus of the second BJP government in Assam will be to control the COVID-19 pandemic, fulfil all poll promises and make the state free from the annual flood havoc. "The COVID-19 situation in Assam is alarming. Our daily cases have crossed the 5,000-mark. In our cabinet meeting tomorrow, we will discuss it from all perspectives, and take measures," Sarma said. Unless the pandemic is controlled in Assam, cases will not go down in other northeastern states, he said. Sarma also appealed to the insurgent groups, especially the ULFA(I), to lay down arms and be a part of the mainstream to establish peace in the state. "I request Paresh Barua to come to the discussion table and resolve issues. Kidnappings and killings complicate problems, not solve them. I hope we will be able to make the underground insurgents return to the mainstream in the next five years," the CM said. Asked about the contentious National Register of Citizens (NRC), the chief minister said his government wants reverification of 20 per cent names in the border districts of Assam, and 10 per cent in other areas. "If very negligible error is found, then we can proceed with the existing NRC. But, if there are huge anomalies, I hope the court will take note and do the needful with a new perspective," he said without elaborating. On BJP's assurance of bringing in law against 'love jihad', Sarma said: "Every promise was meant for implementation. We will do everything possible to fulfil them."

Aim to make Assam one among top five Indian states, says new Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

<p>A day after the Bodo pact was signed, senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the Centre is willing to hold peace talks with ULFA (Independent) faction and appealed to its leader Paresh Barua to come to the negotiating table.</p>

<p>Sarma, also the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor, told reporters here that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly said on Monday that if the anti-talk ULFA(I) faction is ready for negotiations, then “the Centre is more than willing to hold dialogue with them for the sake of permanent peace in Assam and the Northeast.”</p>

<p>“A historic Accord was signed on Monday through discussions with all the factions of the NDFB. The Centre and state government want peace in the region through dialogue,” Sarma said, referring to the Bodo pact.</p>

<p>Most of the militant outfits in the northeastern states, barring some in Assam and Manipur, are holding talks but “if we want peace in the region, it should be inclusive by involving all the factions and the outfits,” he said. The offer comes a few days after ULFA(I) claimed responsibility for four serial blasts in Upper Assam districts on the Republic Day.</p>


A day after the Bodo pact was signed, senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the Centre is willing to hold peace talks with ULFA (Independent) faction and appealed to its leader Paresh Barua to come to the negotiating table.

A day after the Bodo pact was signed, senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the Centre is willing to hold peace talks with ULFA (Independent) faction and appealed to its leader Paresh Barua to come to the negotiating table. Sarma, also the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor, told reporters here that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly said on Monday that if the anti-talk ULFA(I) faction is ready for negotiations, then “the Centre is more than willing to hold dialogue with them for the sake of permanent peace in Assam and the Northeast.” “A historic Accord was signed on Monday through discussions with all the factions of the NDFB. The Centre and state government want peace in the region through dialogue,” Sarma said, referring to the Bodo pact. Most of the militant outfits in the northeastern states, barring some in Assam and Manipur, are holding talks but “if we want peace in the region, it should be inclusive by involving all the factions and the outfits,” he said. The offer comes a few days after ULFA(I) claimed responsibility for four serial blasts in Upper Assam districts on the Republic Day.

Centre ready to hold peace talks with ULFA(I), says Himanta Biswa Sarma

<p>Home Minister Amit Shah's meeting with several politicians and activists of Northeast states including the chief minister of Mizoram to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 concluded in the wee hour of Wednesday, following which Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a lot of confusion has been eliminated and cabinet may take it for discussion in its next meeting.</p>

<p>He also said that the bill is likely to be introduced in the parliament in the last week of winter session.</p>

<p>Shah had been conducting meeting over the Bill for the past few days and the discussions with different stakeholders went for over 100 hours.</p>

<p>Shah spoke about different provisions of the Bill and tried to clear the confusion about its various aspects.</p>

<p>Speaking about the discussions held in the meeting, North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convener Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Shah had also met representatives of different north-east states and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.</p>

<p>"I think a lot of confusion has been eliminated. There are still some issues but some solutions have also been found," he said.</p>

<p>The Bill will be introduced in the Parliament in a positive environment, Sarma said hoping that after listening to Shah's address and examining the draft of the Bill the remaining confusion will also go away.</p>

<p>He said that CAB is likely to be introduced in the Parliament by the last week of winter session and it may be discussed in the Cabinet's next meeting.</p>

<p>"I cannot tell you officially but there are indications that the Bill may be introduced in Parliament in the last week of winter session. There's also a broad indication that the Bill will be discussed in the cabinet tomorrow," he said.</p>

<p>Stating that there will no protest and CAB will satisfy each and every person, he maintained that there will be some protests which no one can deny as political risk is involved in it.</p>

<p>He also said that the Bill not particularly emphasised on Hindus.</p>

<p>"There is no mention of Hindu in the manifesto of the Bill. The stress has been laid on minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, which includes Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Parsis," he said.</p>


Home Minister Amit Shah's meeting with several politicians and activists of Northeast states including the chief minister of Mizoram to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 concluded in the wee hour of Wednesday, following which Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a lot of confusion has been eliminated and cabinet may take it for discussion in its next meeting.

Home Minister Amit Shah's meeting with several politicians and activists of Northeast states including the chief minister of Mizoram to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 concluded in the wee hour of Wednesday, following which Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a lot of confusion has been eliminated and cabinet may take it for discussion in its next meeting. He also said that the bill is likely to be introduced in the parliament in the last week of winter session. Shah had been conducting meeting over the Bill for the past few days and the discussions with different stakeholders went for over 100 hours. Shah spoke about different provisions of the Bill and tried to clear the confusion about its various aspects. Speaking about the discussions held in the meeting, North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convener Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Shah had also met representatives of different north-east states and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. "I think a lot of confusion has been eliminated. There are still some issues but some solutions have also been found," he said. The Bill will be introduced in the Parliament in a positive environment, Sarma said hoping that after listening to Shah's address and examining the draft of the Bill the remaining confusion will also go away. He said that CAB is likely to be introduced in the Parliament by the last week of winter session and it may be discussed in the Cabinet's next meeting. "I cannot tell you officially but there are indications that the Bill may be introduced in Parliament in the last week of winter session. There's also a broad indication that the Bill will be discussed in the cabinet tomorrow," he said. Stating that there will no protest and CAB will satisfy each and every person, he maintained that there will be some protests which no one can deny as political risk is involved in it. He also said that the Bill not particularly emphasised on Hindus. "There is no mention of Hindu in the manifesto of the Bill. The stress has been laid on minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, which includes Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Parsis," he said.

Lot of confusion eliminated, Citizenship bill likely in next week of parliament session: Himanta Biswa Sarma

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidS6rWWk0d2uHu" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>After a war of words broke out with Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Twitter over the National Register of Citizens (NRC), AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday said the word "religion" is nowhere mentioned in Indian citizenship laws.</p>

<p>"The Minister of Assam has shown his ignorance about the Indian Constitution and his arrogance because he believes in the ideology of Hindutva. The word `religion` is mentioned nowhere in our citizenship laws," Owaisi said at a press conference in Hyderabad.</p>

<p>"I challenge the Assam Minister and any Sangh Pariwar person to show me where religion is mentioned. Citizenship is given not on the basis of religion. This law came into force on November 20, 1949," he added.</p>

<p>"I remind the Sangh Pariwar ideologues that they should read the Constituent Assembly debates. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel said in the Constituent assembly that the provision about the citizenship will be scrutinized all over the world. The Constituent Assembly rejected the racial principle of then South Africa. BJP shall protect the refugees who are in Assam, but how can they be made a citizen of India," Owaisi asked.</p>

<p>The whole controversy started after Owaisi re-tweeted a tweet which said: "The Government of India and Government of Assam through Foreigners Tribunal and Citizenship Amendment Bill are going to take care of Hindu migrants."</p>

<p>Replying to this, Sarma tweeted: "If India does not protect Hindus, who will protect them? Pakistan? India shall forever remain the home for persecuted Hindus, irrespective of your opposition Sir."</p>

<p>"Sir, India is a civilization, not a country. History of a country starts with the Constitution. But the history of civilization starts with much more. India that is Bharat was, is and will remain a vibrant civilization. For Hindus, India has been our homeland for more than 5,000 years!" he said in another tweet.</p>

<p>Responding to BJP leaders` comment on infiltrators, Owaisi said: "Kiren Rijiju said in Parliament that there are 2 crore infiltrators in the country. Amit Shah, who is now India`s Home Minister, had said that there are 50 lakh infiltrators. He said that infiltrators are termites. It reminds me of Hitler who had said that Jews are like cockroaches."</p>

<p>In the final list of NRC published on August 31, a total of more than 3 crores people were found eligible for inclusion in the list while over 19 lakh people have been excluded.</p>

<p>NRC is a register containing names of Indian citizens, which was prepared for the first time in 1951. It is being updated for Assam as of now to weed out illegal immigrants from the state.&nbsp;</p>


After a war of words broke out with Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Twitter over the National Register of Citizens (NRC), AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday said the word "religion" is nowhere mentioned in Indian citizenship laws.

After a war of words broke out with Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Twitter over the National Register of Citizens (NRC), AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday said the word "religion" is nowhere mentioned in Indian citizenship laws. "The Minister of Assam has shown his ignorance about the Indian Constitution and his arrogance because he believes in the ideology of Hindutva. The word `religion` is mentioned nowhere in our citizenship laws," Owaisi said at a press conference in Hyderabad. "I challenge the Assam Minister and any Sangh Pariwar person to show me where religion is mentioned. Citizenship is given not on the basis of religion. This law came into force on November 20, 1949," he added. "I remind the Sangh Pariwar ideologues that they should read the Constituent Assembly debates. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel said in the Constituent assembly that the provision about the citizenship will be scrutinized all over the world. The Constituent Assembly rejected the racial principle of then South Africa. BJP shall protect the refugees who are in Assam, but how can they be made a citizen of India," Owaisi asked. The whole controversy started after Owaisi re-tweeted a tweet which said: "The Government of India and Government of Assam through Foreigners Tribunal and Citizenship Amendment Bill are going to take care of Hindu migrants." Replying to this, Sarma tweeted: "If India does not protect Hindus, who will protect them? Pakistan? India shall forever remain the home for persecuted Hindus, irrespective of your opposition Sir." "Sir, India is a civilization, not a country. History of a country starts with the Constitution. But the history of civilization starts with much more. India that is Bharat was, is and will remain a vibrant civilization. For Hindus, India has been our homeland for more than 5,000 years!" he said in another tweet. Responding to BJP leaders` comment on infiltrators, Owaisi said: "Kiren Rijiju said in Parliament that there are 2 crore infiltrators in the country. Amit Shah, who is now India`s Home Minister, had said that there are 50 lakh infiltrators. He said that infiltrators are termites. It reminds me of Hitler who had said that Jews are like cockroaches." In the final list of NRC published on August 31, a total of more than 3 crores people were found eligible for inclusion in the list while over 19 lakh people have been excluded. NRC is a register containing names of Indian citizens, which was prepared for the first time in 1951. It is being updated for Assam as of now to weed out illegal immigrants from the state.

Religion is nowhere mentioned in Indian citizenship laws: Owaisi

<p>Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified on Thursday that his&nbsp;tweet &#39;cancer divine justice for our sins&#39; was misconstrued, and that it was meant to motivate teachers and serve the poor.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader took to Twitter to offer an explanation after he was slammed by Congress leaders and other prominent personalities on the social media platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a series of tweets, Sarma wrote&nbsp;in his defence:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Go through my speech. I never said that sin cause cancer.it was a speech to motivate teacher. Serve poor or otherwise, you may face karmic deficiency and suffer in next life. Science can not promote human value. Religion might. Good night.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Go through my speech. I never said that sin cause cancer.it was a speech to motivate teacher.serve poor or otherwise you may face karmic deficiency and suffer in next <a href="https://t.co/H4KfY7M9HQ">https://t.co/H4KfY7M9HQ</a> can not promote human value.religion might.good night <a href="https://t.co/YTxbCZZnD9">https://t.co/YTxbCZZnD9</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/933417370785157120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Not arguing with anyone. Only availing a huge opportunity to speak a little bit about Hindu philosophy. We accept that even Lord Krishna died because of karmic deficiency. That&rsquo;s is our philosophy.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not arguing with anyone. Only availing a huge opportunity to speek little bit about Hindu philosophy. We accept that even Lord Krishna died because of karmic deficiency. That&rsquo;s is our philosophy <a href="https://t.co/7Cpec6Kioq">https://t.co/7Cpec6Kioq</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/933529084126097408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;You have to realise the difference between sin and karma. Politics can come and go. But what is written on Bhagavadgita, is for me the final truth.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You have to realise difference between sin and karma.politics can come and go. But what is written on Bhagavadgita,is for me the final truth <a href="https://t.co/pxb3qB8MF4">https://t.co/pxb3qB8MF4</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/933558907317846016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Sir, please do not distort. Simply I said that Hinduism believe in karmic law and human sufferings are linked to the karmic deficiency of past life.Don&rsquo;t you belief that too? Of course in your party, I do not know whether Hindu philosophy can be discussed at all&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sir, please do not distort. Simply I said that Hinduism believe in karmic law and human sufferings are linked to karmic deficiency of past life.Don&rsquo;t you belief that too?Of course in your party I do not know whether Hindu philosophy can be discussed at all <a href="https://t.co/P7CMBIRCYQ">https://t.co/P7CMBIRCYQ</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/933365188140580864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Do not belittle Hindu philosophy in such simplistic way. If you call me anytime to your studio, I will argue with you that karmic law do exist. You can not written of teachings of Bhagavadgita by using the word pumpkin of the day etc&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Do not belittle Hindu philosophy in such simplistic way. If you call me anytime to your studio,I will argue with you that karmic law do exist. You can not written of teachings of Bhagavadgita by using the word pumpkin of the day etc <a href="https://t.co/wpKz7rpLYn">https://t.co/wpKz7rpLYn</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/933396141739196416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Should I deserve this tweet for quoting Bhagavadgita before a new batch of teachers and asking them to teach poor students sincerely. I do not know when quoting Hindu philosophy to inspire a batch of teachers suddenly become a sin in this country&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Should I deserve this tweet for quoting Bhagavadgita before a new batch of teachers and asking them to teach poor students sincerely. I do not know from when quoting Hindu philosophy to inspire a batch of teachers suddenly become a sin in this country <a href="https://t.co/wpKz7rpLYn">https://t.co/wpKz7rpLYn</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/933406146680852481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Did my speech was on cancer? Who told you? I simply asked a new batch of teachers to work sincerely &amp; work for poor.In that context, I argue that if we do not work sincerely in next life we might face karmic deficiency &amp; that may lead to sufferings .what is insensitive about this?&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Did my speech was on cancer? Who told you? I simply asked a new batch of teachers to work sincerely &amp; work for poor.In that context I argue that if we do not work sincerely in next life we might face karmic deficiency &amp; that may lead to sufferings .what is insensitive about this? <a href="https://t.co/jlCAbEdh7s">https://t.co/jlCAbEdh7s</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/933410722184249344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>All these tweets came in response to&nbsp;Congress leader P Chidambaram and Kapil Sibal&#39;s tweets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chidambaram wrote:&nbsp;&quot;Cancer is divine justice for sins` says Assam Minister Sharma. That is what switching parties does to a person.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&#39;Cancer is divine justice for sins&#39; says Assam Minister Sharma. That is what switching parties does to a person.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/933340495069220864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>While Kapil Sibal wrote:&nbsp;&quot;Hemanta Biswa Sarma says that cancer is divine justice for sins committed. That such a person is a minister is divine injustice.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hemanta Biswa Sarma says that cancer is divine justice for sins committed .<br />
<br />
That such a person is minister is divine injustice .</p>
&mdash; Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KapilSibal/status/933551318454517761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>It all started when Sarma spoke at event in Guwahati about karma and sin. His speech:&nbsp;&quot;God makes us suffer when we sin. Sometimes we come across young men getting inflicted with cancer or young men meeting with accidents. If you observe the background, you will come to know that it`s divine justice, and nothing else. We have to suffer that divine justice.&quot;</p>

<p>The BJP leader further elaborated at the event, saying that the sins could be of this lifetime or previous life, or could be of the parents for which the person has to pay.</p>

<p>&quot;That divine justice always will be there. Nobody can escape the divine justice that will happen,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Himanta Biswa Sarma said his speech, in which the offending quote appeared, has been meant to motivate teachers, serve the poor

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified on Thursday that his tweet 'cancer divine justice for our sins' was misconstrued, and that it was meant to motivate teachers and serve the poor. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader took to Twitter to offer an explanation after he was slammed by Congress leaders and other prominent personalities on the social media platform. In a series of tweets, Sarma wrote in his defence: "Go through my speech. I never said that sin cause cancer.it was a speech to motivate teacher. Serve poor or otherwise, you may face karmic deficiency and suffer in next life. Science can not promote human value. Religion might. Good night." Go through my speech. I never said that sin cause cancer.it was a speech to motivate teacher.serve poor or otherwise you may face karmic deficiency and suffer in next https://t.co/H4KfY7M9HQ can not promote human value.religion might.good night https://t.co/YTxbCZZnD9 — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2017 × "Not arguing with anyone. Only availing a huge opportunity to speak a little bit about Hindu philosophy. We accept that even Lord Krishna died because of karmic deficiency. That’s is our philosophy." Not arguing with anyone. Only availing a huge opportunity to speek little bit about Hindu philosophy. We accept that even Lord Krishna died because of karmic deficiency. That’s is our philosophy https://t.co/7Cpec6Kioq — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 23, 2017 × "You have to realise the difference between sin and karma. Politics can come and go. But what is written on Bhagavadgita, is for me the final truth." You have to realise difference between sin and karma.politics can come and go. But what is written on Bhagavadgita,is for me the final truth https://t.co/pxb3qB8MF4 — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 23, 2017 × "Sir, please do not distort. Simply I said that Hinduism believe in karmic law and human sufferings are linked to the karmic deficiency of past life.Don’t you belief that too? Of course in your party, I do not know whether Hindu philosophy can be discussed at all" Sir, please do not distort. Simply I said that Hinduism believe in karmic law and human sufferings are linked to karmic deficiency of past life.Don’t you belief that too?Of course in your party I do not know whether Hindu philosophy can be discussed at all https://t.co/P7CMBIRCYQ — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2017 × "Do not belittle Hindu philosophy in such simplistic way. If you call me anytime to your studio, I will argue with you that karmic law do exist. You can not written of teachings of Bhagavadgita by using the word pumpkin of the day etc" Do not belittle Hindu philosophy in such simplistic way. If you call me anytime to your studio,I will argue with you that karmic law do exist. You can not written of teachings of Bhagavadgita by using the word pumpkin of the day etc https://t.co/wpKz7rpLYn — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2017 × "Should I deserve this tweet for quoting Bhagavadgita before a new batch of teachers and asking them to teach poor students sincerely. I do not know when quoting Hindu philosophy to inspire a batch of teachers suddenly become a sin in this country" Should I deserve this tweet for quoting Bhagavadgita before a new batch of teachers and asking them to teach poor students sincerely. I do not know from when quoting Hindu philosophy to inspire a batch of teachers suddenly become a sin in this country https://t.co/wpKz7rpLYn — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2017 × "Did my speech was on cancer? Who told you? I simply asked a new batch of teachers to work sincerely & work for poor.In that context, I argue that if we do not work sincerely in next life we might face karmic deficiency & that may lead to sufferings .what is insensitive about this?" Did my speech was on cancer? Who told you? I simply asked a new batch of teachers to work sincerely & work for poor.In that context I argue that if we do not work sincerely in next life we might face karmic deficiency & that may lead to sufferings .what is insensitive about this? https://t.co/jlCAbEdh7s — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2017 × All these tweets came in response to Congress leader P Chidambaram and Kapil Sibal's tweets. Chidambaram wrote: "Cancer is divine justice for sins` says Assam Minister Sharma. That is what switching parties does to a person." 'Cancer is divine justice for sins' says Assam Minister Sharma. That is what switching parties does to a person. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 22, 2017 × While Kapil Sibal wrote: "Hemanta Biswa Sarma says that cancer is divine justice for sins committed. That such a person is a minister is divine injustice." Hemanta Biswa Sarma says that cancer is divine justice for sins committed . That such a person is minister is divine injustice . — Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) November 23, 2017 × It all started when Sarma spoke at event in Guwahati about karma and sin. His speech: "God makes us suffer when we sin. Sometimes we come across young men getting inflicted with cancer or young men meeting with accidents. If you observe the background, you will come to know that it`s divine justice, and nothing else. We have to suffer that divine justice." The BJP leader further elaborated at the event, saying that the sins could be of this lifetime or previous life, or could be of the parents for which the person has to pay. "That divine justice always will be there. Nobody can escape the divine justice that will happen," he added.

Assam health minister clarifies: 'Cancer divine justice for our sins' quote was meant to motivate

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>After sweeping all of the Hindi heartland and western parts of the country in 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party framed a &lsquo;Look North-East&rsquo; plan and set about achieving its goal to gain a foothold in the region. The northeastern states posed a challenge because the political structure there was a maze of regional outfits, and the Congress was already a dominant presence. Besides, there was little the BJP had done in the region in recent years to be counted as a serious player. It became clear to the party at the outset that it would have to pick and choose allies from among the regional parties and lead an effective coalition. In some states, it could be the dominant partner, in others, it would have to cede space. And so began the plan&rsquo;s execution &mdash; the &lsquo;Act North-East&rsquo;, with party president Amit and a clutch of influential regional leaders burning the midnight oil.</p>

<p>The results have been quick in coming. The BJP now has a government in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Its ally rules in Sikkim, and the party is already working out combinations for Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram. The biggest casualty of the BJP&rsquo;s aggression in the North-East has been the Congress. It lost Assam (through the ballot box), Arunachal Pradesh (through political migration) and Manipur (as a result of poor post-poll result strategising).&nbsp;</p>

<p>And even as the Congress grapples to stem the slide, the BJP is optimally using&nbsp;the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) to ride into the region. Launched by the BJP after the party&rsquo;s spectacular victory in Assam in May 2016,&nbsp;NEDA is&nbsp;a broadband political alliance of some 11 regional parties. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In a sense, therefore, the Assam result was the protein-boost for NEDA. The BJP displaced the Congress-led Tarun Gogoi regime with a massive win. The two main factors responsible for the outcome were the voters&rsquo; growing disenchantment with the Congress, and their shift towards a party that was until recently considered an &lsquo;outsider&rsquo;. Both these factors are going to play out in the subsequent months as more North-East states go to polls. But Assam also offers a third reason, and which the Congress will do well to understand if it has to counter the BJP&rsquo;s rise: The effective use of powerful regional leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>But Assam also offers a third reason, and which the Congress will do well to understand if it has to counter the BJP&rsquo;s rise: The effective use of powerful regional leaders.&nbsp;</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man who played a significant role in scripting the BJP&rsquo;s victory &mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma &mdash; was only months before a Congress leader. He had been with the party for two decades but found himself pushed to the sidelines by both the central and local leaderships. Neither of the two seemed to have grasped his potential. The BJP did, and soon after Sarma walked into its camp, party president Amit Shah identified him as the key person to devise the electoral campaign for Assam. The rest, as they say, is history. Sarma is today the convenor of NEDA, even as he juggles with his responsibilities as a minister in the Assam government led by Sarbanand Sonowal, and is considered the prime pusher for the BJP&rsquo;s drive into the North-East.</p>

<p>If the Assam win triggered the formalisation of NEDA, the alliance ran into some early embarrassment as well. In mid-2016, after a political mess in Arunachal Pradesh which saw the destabilisation of the then Congress regime allegedly by the BJP, the Supreme Court restored the regime. It was a setback for the BJP and for NEDA. But characteristically enough, the Congress failed to hold on to the advantage for long. The People&rsquo;s Party of Arunachal came along, then the PPA split and a major faction joined the BJP, thus giving the national party a government in the state on a platter. The Congress&rsquo;s failure to read the signals and act before the crisis blew on its face as badly as it did in Assam.</p>

<p>But while political management has been the focus of attention in the success of the BJP and the decline of the Congress in the North-East, one factor that has played a steady but silent role in the changing political dynamics of the region is the rise of the RSS. Till a few years ago, the organisation had just one branch in the entire region; today it has four divisions with several branches that cover Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>The Nagaland party chief has said that a ban on cow slaughter will not happen if the BJP comes to power in the state</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The growth of the RSS has been due to effective mobilisation on the plank of &lsquo;Hindu identity&rsquo;, but also in the belief (right or wrong) that the RSS is not opposed to the minorities &mdash; who form a significant base of the population in the North-East. Besides, the RSS has been doing a good deal of social work for decades among the tribals and the less privileged, encompassing the areas of education and health. Of course, a lot of this has had to do with countering the work done by outfits of minority faiths, especially the Christian missionaries; RSS would like to refer to all such activities as proselytising.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Having gained ground, the BJP&rsquo;s challenge is not just to sustain the electoral momentum; it comes also from a different and interesting source: cow politics. Across the country, the party has made cow protection a sacred duty. In BJP-ruled states particularly, there is a sense of belligerence in this direction, with certain elements taking the issue to violent extremes. But beef is consumed in considerable quantity in the three States that vote next year in Assembly elections &mdash; Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland &mdash; and so the BJP&rsquo;s local units are treading carefully.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Nagaland party chief has said that a ban on cow slaughter will not happen if the BJP comes to power in the state because the &ldquo;reality here is very different and our central leaders are aware of it&rdquo;. There is no doubt that the party will have to do some intricate manoeuvring. According to the 2001 Census, 88 per cent of Nagaland&rsquo;s population, 87 per cent of Mizoram&rsquo;s population and close to 75 per cent of Meghalaya&rsquo;s population are Christian, who eat beef.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The difference in approach has its own credibility problems. If cow protection is a deeply-felt belief for the rank and file of the BJP, how will the party reconcile to a different approach for cows in the North-East? Does the duality not strengthen criticism against them, of using the beef issue as a political tool to raise passions across the country in general? However, given the sensitivity attached nationwide, it&rsquo;s unlikely that the BJP&rsquo;s political opponents will risk using the issue during election time against the party. That could be some solace for the BJP.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The complexity of cow politics poses a serious challenge to BJP's electoral momentum in NE India

After sweeping all of the Hindi heartland and western parts of the country in 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party framed a ‘Look North-East’ plan and set about achieving its goal to gain a foothold in the region. The northeastern states posed a challenge because the political structure there was a maze of regional outfits, and the Congress was already a dominant presence. Besides, there was little the BJP had done in the region in recent years to be counted as a serious player. It became clear to the party at the outset that it would have to pick and choose allies from among the regional parties and lead an effective coalition. In some states, it could be the dominant partner, in others, it would have to cede space. And so began the plan’s execution — the ‘Act North-East’, with party president Amit and a clutch of influential regional leaders burning the midnight oil. The results have been quick in coming. The BJP now has a government in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Its ally rules in Sikkim, and the party is already working out combinations for Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram. The biggest casualty of the BJP’s aggression in the North-East has been the Congress. It lost Assam (through the ballot box), Arunachal Pradesh (through political migration) and Manipur (as a result of poor post-poll result strategising). And even as the Congress grapples to stem the slide, the BJP is optimally using the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) to ride into the region. Launched by the BJP after the party’s spectacular victory in Assam in May 2016, NEDA is a broadband political alliance of some 11 regional parties. In a sense, therefore, the Assam result was the protein-boost for NEDA. The BJP displaced the Congress-led Tarun Gogoi regime with a massive win. The two main factors responsible for the outcome were the voters’ growing disenchantment with the Congress, and their shift towards a party that was until recently considered an ‘outsider’. Both these factors are going to play out in the subsequent months as more North-East states go to polls. But Assam also offers a third reason, and which the Congress will do well to understand if it has to counter the BJP’s rise: The effective use of powerful regional leaders. But Assam also offers a third reason, and which the Congress will do well to understand if it has to counter the BJP’s rise: The effective use of powerful regional leaders. × The man who played a significant role in scripting the BJP’s victory — Himanta Biswa Sarma — was only months before a Congress leader. He had been with the party for two decades but found himself pushed to the sidelines by both the central and local leaderships. Neither of the two seemed to have grasped his potential. The BJP did, and soon after Sarma walked into its camp, party president Amit Shah identified him as the key person to devise the electoral campaign for Assam. The rest, as they say, is history. Sarma is today the convenor of NEDA, even as he juggles with his responsibilities as a minister in the Assam government led by Sarbanand Sonowal, and is considered the prime pusher for the BJP’s drive into the North-East. If the Assam win triggered the formalisation of NEDA, the alliance ran into some early embarrassment as well. In mid-2016, after a political mess in Arunachal Pradesh which saw the destabilisation of the then Congress regime allegedly by the BJP, the Supreme Court restored the regime. It was a setback for the BJP and for NEDA. But characteristically enough, the Congress failed to hold on to the advantage for long. The People’s Party of Arunachal came along, then the PPA split and a major faction joined the BJP, thus giving the national party a government in the state on a platter. The Congress’s failure to read the signals and act before the crisis blew on its face as badly as it did in Assam. But while political management has been the focus of attention in the success of the BJP and the decline of the Congress in the North-East, one factor that has played a steady but silent role in the changing political dynamics of the region is the rise of the RSS. Till a few years ago, the organisation had just one branch in the entire region; today it has four divisions with several branches that cover Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. The Nagaland party chief has said that a ban on cow slaughter will not happen if the BJP comes to power in the state × The growth of the RSS has been due to effective mobilisation on the plank of ‘Hindu identity’, but also in the belief (right or wrong) that the RSS is not opposed to the minorities — who form a significant base of the population in the North-East. Besides, the RSS has been doing a good deal of social work for decades among the tribals and the less privileged, encompassing the areas of education and health. Of course, a lot of this has had to do with countering the work done by outfits of minority faiths, especially the Christian missionaries; RSS would like to refer to all such activities as proselytising. Having gained ground, the BJP’s challenge is not just to sustain the electoral momentum; it comes also from a different and interesting source: cow politics. Across the country, the party has made cow protection a sacred duty. In BJP-ruled states particularly, there is a sense of belligerence in this direction, with certain elements taking the issue to violent extremes. But beef is consumed in considerable quantity in the three States that vote next year in Assembly elections — Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland — and so the BJP’s local units are treading carefully. The Nagaland party chief has said that a ban on cow slaughter will not happen if the BJP comes to power in the state because the “reality here is very different and our central leaders are aware of it”. There is no doubt that the party will have to do some intricate manoeuvring. According to the 2001 Census, 88 per cent of Nagaland’s population, 87 per cent of Mizoram’s population and close to 75 per cent of Meghalaya’s population are Christian, who eat beef. The difference in approach has its own credibility problems. If cow protection is a deeply-felt belief for the rank and file of the BJP, how will the party reconcile to a different approach for cows in the North-East? Does the duality not strengthen criticism against them, of using the beef issue as a political tool to raise passions across the country in general? However, given the sensitivity attached nationwide, it’s unlikely that the BJP’s political opponents will risk using the issue during election time against the party. That could be some solace for the BJP.

BJP, beef and North-East India