New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday for his remark about not letting ‘Miya’ Muslims “take over” the state. Sibal condemned the comment as “pure communal venom” and argued that remaining silent in response is not acceptable.
Sarma had made the statement during a legislative assembly discussion on opposition motions regarding law and order issues in the state, following the gangrape of a 14-year-old girl in Nagaon.
On X, Sibal responded, “Himanta (Assam CM): ‘Will take sides. Will not let Miya Muslims take over all of Assam’. My reaction: Pure communal venom. Actionable. Silence is not a solution.”
The term ‘Miya,’ originally used pejoratively for Bengali-speaking Muslims, has been reclaimed by some within the community as an act of defiance against its negative connotations.
