“CM who spreads hatred”: Justice Govind Mathur slams Himanta Sarma’s remarks on Miya Muslims
New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice (Retd) Govind Mathur, has condemned recent remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma targeting the Miya Muslim community, calling the statements unconstitutional, divisive and unacceptable in a democratic society.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Justice Mathur described the chief minister’s comments in which Sarma had said Miya Muslims should be “troubled” so that they leave Assam as “highly condemnable” and “outrageous”. He said it was concerning that a constitutional authority was repeatedly making what he termed irresponsible and inflammatory remarks.
Justice Mathur said the statements amounted to an attempt to divide citizens on the basis of religion and violated the basic principles of India’s constitutional framework. Referring to fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, he pointed out that Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, Article 15 prohibits discrimination on religious grounds, and Article 21 protects the dignity of every individual.
“As Chief Minister, Mr Sarma has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and his words carry the authority of the state,” the former chief justice said. He warned that rhetoric promoting fear, exclusion or hatred undermines constitutional morality and weakens the foundations of the Indian Republic.
Justice Mathur further stated that communal remarks by those holding public office normalise prejudice and encourage hatred in society, which he said has no place in a constitutional democracy. Leaders who divide citizens along religious lines, he added, act against India’s pluralistic ethos and federal responsibility.
Questioning the suitability of a constitutional office-holder who departs from principles of impartiality and equality, Justice Mathur said India’s strength lies in unity, reason and the rule of law, not in communal polarisation. He asserted that spreading communal hatred amounts to a punishable offence under the law and said it was time to demand accountability from those in power.
Justice Mathur also added that it was high time to demand resignation of a “Chief Minister who spreads communal hatred which is a crime under our law”.
The statement comes amid widespread criticism of Chief Minister Sarma’s recent remarks on the Special Revision and proposed Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Assam, during which he openly spoke about targeting Miya Muslims a term commonly used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in the state and removing their names from voter lists. Opposition parties and civil rights groups have also accused the Assam government of encouraging discrimination and harassment through the electoral revision process.
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UDF will have huge win in Kerala, NDA won't open its account: Cong leader Satheesan
Kochi (PTI): Senior Congress leader V D Satheesan on Friday expressed confidence in a huge win by the UDF, claiming it will make a clean sweep in five districts, and brushed aside speculations that the NDA will open its account in Kerala.
Satheesan, speaking to reporters here a day after the conclusion of the Assembly polls, praised the performance of the UDF leaders and workers during the election, saying it was the best ever he has seen in the last 30 years.
He said that his claims of the UDF getting over 100 seats is not a mere statement, but based on the work the front has done during the last five years to bring back all those who had left it in 2005 and as a result, there was a huge wave in its favour in the state.
The leader of opposition in the state assembly, who contested from the Paravoor constituency, further said that the Congress-led front also had a major social backing from minorities and marginalised groups in the society.
Besides that, there was an anti-incumbency feeling among the people who were disappointed with the LDF rule, he claimed and said that the UDF provided them with a hope and an alternative which no other opposition had done in the past.
"All these factors will contribute to a huge win for the UDF and it would not be surprising if we make a clean sweep in Malappuram, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts. That is a total of 43 seats," he said.
According to him, the polling percentage increased because the UDF got people added to the electoral list.
He also brushed aside the LDF remarks about a woman or youth CM, saying that "they can make such statements now as they know they cannot win".
"Otherwise, why did they campaign with Pinarayi Vijayan as the main factor. Why did they say a third Pinarayi rule will come?" he asked.
He also claimed that the LDF's decision to spend government money on its political campaign, by putting up hoardings and carrying out social media programmes to sway voters, has also backfired as people realised that their taxes were being wasted like that.
Asked whether the NDA will open its account, especially in areas where the UDF claimed the BJP-led front had made a deal with the LDF, Satheesan replied in the negative.
He said that as of now he does not see any chance of the NDA opening its account in the state.
