New Delhi: Complaint filed against Assam CM Himanta Sarma for hate speech against Bengali Muslims
New Delhi: Human rights activist and former civil servant Harsh Mander has filed a police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of making hate speech targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam.
The complaint, filed at the Hauz Khas Police Station, relates to statements allegedly made by Sarma on January 27, 2026, during an official event in Digboi in Tinsukia district of Assam.
According to the complaint, the Chief Minister’s remarks promoted hatred, harassment and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims, commonly referred to as “Miyas”, a term widely regarded as derogatory in Assam.
Mander has sought prompt action and registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 196, 197, 299, 302, and 353, and has requested a proper investigation and immediate steps to prevent any further such statements as the state conducts its special voter revision process.
This comes after social media outrage erupted as Sarma continues to make hate speech targeting Muslims of Bengali origin in Assam. Sarma, who has a long record of Islamophobic remarks, said he and his government are fully prepared to “harm,” “make suffer,” “teach a lesson,” and “give trouble” to “miyas,” a term he uses to describe Muslims of Bengali origin in Assam.
On 27 January, at an official event in Digboi in Tinsukia district, Himanta Biswa Sarma referred to Bengali-speaking Muslims using the term “Miya” and made remarks encouraging harassment, social discrimination, and the deletion of their names from electoral rolls.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the event, Sarma reportedly asserted that it was his responsibility to cause hardship to the Miya community and said steps were being taken to ensure they could not vote in Assam.
While the Election Commission is conducting the Special Intensive Revision in 12 states and Union Territories, Assam is currently undergoing a Special Revision process. Referring to this, Sarma reportedly said the present exercise was only preliminary and that a larger deletion of names would take place when the SIR is implemented in Assam.
The complaint states that these remarks threaten communal harmony, public order, and the constitutional rights of the affected community, including their right to vote and livelihood. It further alleges that the speech amounts to incitement to discrimination and hostility.
The complaint further notes that the remarks were made by a sitting Chief Minister at an official event, which significantly aggravates their impact, as they carry the imprimatur of state authority and are likely to embolden unlawful acts by both state functionaries and private individuals, the complainant said.
Mander said that, given that the statements disclose the commission of cognisable offences, including offences relating to promoting enmity, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, criminal intimidation, and abuse of official position, the registration of an FIR is mandatory under law.
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Biker injured, leopard dies in road accident near forest area in Shivamogga
Shivamogga: A leopard was killed after being hit by a motorcycle near Mandagadde in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district.
According to reports, the biker was travelling from Shivamogga towards Thirthahalli when the leopard suddenly came onto the road from a nearby forest area near Mandagadde. The rider is said to have lost control of the bike and crashed into the animal.
The leopard suffered severe injuries in the impact and died on the spot. The biker also fell onto the road along with the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. He was shifted to a hospital in Shivamogga for further treatment.
After receiving information about the incident, forest department officials, including Gajanur RFO Vinay Kumar, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
