NEW DELHI: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his controversial remarks on “troubling Miya Muslims”, calling them unconstitutional and divisive.Owaisi mocked the chief minister, saying, “I want to give you Rs 2 as alms,” and accused him of reducing constitutional governance to prejudice and intimidation. In a lengthy response, Owaisi said India’s Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination, regardless of religion or community. “The Constitution says all are equal. No discrimination should be done, whether it is a chief minister or anyone else,” he said. Effort To Protect Assam’s Identity, Says Himanta Defending ‘Miyan’ Remark Owaisi alleged that Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam were being scapegoated for issues ranging from migration to rising prices. “If vegetable prices increase in Assam, Miya Muslims are blamed. If someone wants to vote, they are told to go to Bangladesh,” he said, adding that such rhetoric amounted to targeting a community for political gain.The AIMIM leader’s remarks came after Sarma made statements encouraging action against “Miya Muslims” in Assam. Sarma said, “Trouble the Miya Muslims by any means. If they face trouble, they will go from Assam … We are directly against the Miya Muslims. We are not hiding anything.”The comments triggered a political storm in the election-bound northeastern state, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of resorting to communal polarisation to consolidate votes. The BJP, however, has long maintained that its focus in Assam is on addressing illegal immigration and protecting indigenous rights. Bengali-speaking Muslims have frequently been labelled “illegal infiltrators” in political discourse, an issue that has remained central to Assam’s electoral politics.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’We Were Preparing For War’: Former DGMO Reveals Inside Story Of India-China Doklam Stand-OffGrand Welcome To Dance Record: Indian Diaspora Gears Up For PM Modi’s Malaysia VisitWeeks After Noida Techie’s Death, Delhi Biker Dies After Falling Into Pit Dug By Jal BoardIndia Stands Firm On Chabahar Despite US-Iran Tensions And A Sanctions Threat, Tehran Backs DelhiFormer DGMO Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt Reveals How India Stopped China In Doklam: ‘We Used BRO Dozers…’From Exam Stress to Life Skills: PM Modi Engages Students in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026Deadly Blast At Shia Religious Centre In Islamabad Raises Questions On Pakistan’s Security Failures’New Phase In Bilateral Ties’: Indian High Commissioner Hails PM Modi’s ‘Historic’ Malaysia VisitNorway PM Questions World War II-Era UNSC, Echoes India’s Demand For Reform And Global South VoiceAs Bangladesh Elections Near, Hindu Minority Faces Rising Attacks, Islamist Return And State Silence123Photostories6 sacred towns along the GangesDid you know? This indigenous Assamese craft is India’s best-kept heritage secretZendaya’s fashion evolution: A journey from girly pop to red carpet icon5 homemade, chemical-free ant killer sprays; effective DIY methodsInside Rohit Sharma’s premium car collection: 5 high-end luxury cars he owns10 iconic rajma dishes enjoyed across the globeApple TV shows to look forward to in 2026: ‘Imperfect Women’, ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ and morePrince Narula, Tejasswi Prakash, and more: Can you guess these reality TV stars from their childhood picsValentine’s Week Full List 2026: Rose Day to Kiss Day, here is the complete list of Valentine Week 2026The mystery behind Leonardo da Vinci’s lost masterpieces and what historians say123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingGCC Unified VisaRamadan 2026Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns InjuryPhiladelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers injury reportNFL Trade RumorsMyles Garrett GirlfriendSuryakumar YadavGhaziabad Suicide CaseJim BentT20 World Cup
NEW DELHI: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his controversial remarks on “troubling Miya Muslims”, calling them unconstitutional and divisive.Owaisi mocked the chief minister, saying, “I want to give you Rs 2 as alms,” and accused him of reducing constitutional governance to prejudice and intimidation. In a lengthy response, Owaisi said India’s Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination, regardless of religion or community. “The Constitution says all are equal. No discrimination should be done, whether it is a chief minister or anyone else,” he said.
Owaisi alleged that Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam were being scapegoated for issues ranging from migration to rising prices. “If vegetable prices increase in Assam, Miya Muslims are blamed. If someone wants to vote, they are told to go to Bangladesh,” he said, adding that such rhetoric amounted to targeting a community for political gain.The AIMIM leader’s remarks came after Sarma made statements encouraging action against “Miya Muslims” in Assam. Sarma said, “Trouble the Miya Muslims by any means. If they face trouble, they will go from Assam … We are directly against the Miya Muslims. We are not hiding anything.”The comments triggered a political storm in the election-bound northeastern state, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of resorting to communal polarisation to consolidate votes. The BJP, however, has long maintained that its focus in Assam is on addressing illegal immigration and protecting indigenous rights. Bengali-speaking Muslims have frequently been labelled “illegal infiltrators” in political discourse, an issue that has remained central to Assam’s electoral politics.
