Opposition leaders file police complaint against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma over “Miya” comment
Guwahati: A day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that he “will take sides” and “will not let Miya Muslims take over Assam”, eighteen opposition parties have filed a police complaint at the Dispur police station accusing him of trying to ‘promote enmity’ based on religion and race.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the parties have accused Sarma of “criminal conspiracy” aimed at creating unrest in the state, warning that a “riot-like situation” could ensue unless he is “arrested or restrained.” Bhupen Borah, chief of Assam Congress, alleged that Sarma is provoking communal riots and making inflammatory statements even within the assembly. Borah also indicated that they plan to write about the issue to the President.
This comes amid rising inter-community tensions in Assam, which intensified following the alleged gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Nagaon district on August 22. Sarma and several of his ministers have termed the incident, in which the accused are Bengali-Muslims, an “attack on the indigenous,” as mentioned by IE.
In response to accusations of partiality, Sarma reaffirmed his stance, stating, "I will take sides. What can you do about it?" The Chief Minister’s remarks included a controversial assertion that he would not permit "Miya Muslims" — a pejorative term for Bengali-speaking Muslims in the state — to dominate Assam. Sarma said, "Why will people from Lower Assam go to Upper Assam? So that Miya Muslims can take over Assam? We won't let it happen."
Sarma has a history of making provocative statements targeting specific religious communities. Last year, he remarked that he would clear Guwahati’s footpaths of “Miya” vegetable vendors. Earlier this month, he accused the University of Science and Technology in Meghalaya (USTM) which is owned by a Bengali-Muslim, of engaging in 'flood jihad,' claiming that the university's hill demolitions for new construction had contributed to waterlogging issues in the capital city.
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Rupee falls 20 paise to 95.43 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 20 paise to 95.43 against US dollar in early trade on Tuesday as market sentiments remained fragile after renewed military exchanges between US and Iranian forces in the Gulf region.
Forex traders said investor anxiety due to instability in the Gulf is causing massive capital flight into safe-haven assets, with the US dollar acting as the primary beneficiary.
Moreover, Brent oil prices is hovering near USD 113 per barrel, maintaining pressure on oil-importing economies like India.
At the interbank foreign exchange market the rupee opened at 95.30 then lost ground to touch 95.43 against the US dollar, in initial trade, registering a fall of 20 paise over its previous close.
Rupee fell 39 paise to close at an all-time low of 95.23 against the US dollar on Monday.
"With oil boiling rupee on Monday fell to a closing low of 95.0875 and this morning the opening was still lower as it becomes more and more vulnerable when dollar index rises due to safe-haven buying and oil prices rise due to the continuous fighting in the Gulf Region," Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said.
The higher oil prices will keep rupee sold off against the dollar as oil companies and FPIs intensify dollar buying, Bhansali added.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 98.51, up 0.15 per cent.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading lower by 1.07 per cent at USD 113.22 per barrel in futures trade.
"Market sentiments remained fragile after renewed military exchanges between US and Iranian forces when Iranian forces launched fresh attacks in the Gulf as both sides sought to assert control over the strategic waterway," Bhansali said.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex declined 361.62 points to 76,907.78 in early trade, while the Nifty dropped 134.90 points to 23,980.60.
Foreign Institutional Investors purchased equities worth Rs 2,835.62 crore on Monday, according to exchange data.
