Guwahati, July 10: On Thursday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed strong disapproval regarding comments made by a student leader from the All BTC Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU). He cautioned that substituting Assamese with Bengali in electoral rolls would merely serve to highlight the number of "foreigners" residing in Assam.

“Language should not be wielded as a weapon for coercion. Assamese is firmly established as both the state and official language in Assam. If Bengali is recorded in electoral rolls, it will only serve to enumerate the foreigners in our state,” Sarma stated.

This response was triggered by remarks from ABMSU member Mainuddin Ali during a protest in Bedlangmari, Kokrajhar, on July 9.

Ali had claimed that Bengali-speaking Muslims would opt to declare Bengali instead of Assamese, suggesting that Assamese would cease to be the dominant language.

His comments, made during protests against eviction actions on allegedly encroached government land, have faced significant backlash for potentially inciting linguistic and communal tensions in a politically sensitive environment.

Utpal Sharma, President of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), criticized Ali's statement, labeling it as a calculated provocation.

“When someone asserts they will no longer identify Assamese as their mother tongue, it is nothing short of provocation and coercion,” Sharma remarked.

He further emphasized that Assam is confronting a more profound issue. “The unchecked population growth among illegal settlers poses a genuine crisis. Numerous districts are already drifting away from the influence of indigenous communities. We must unite and act decisively to safeguard our future,” he warned.

Condemnation also emerged from the Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad Assam (TAYPA), with member Gunakanta Gogoi questioning the ABMSU's contributions to the state.

“The ABMSU has consistently failed to contribute positively to Assam. They repeatedly act against the interests of the state and its populace. If they cannot support the Assamese community while residing here, they are welcome to relocate,” Gogoi stated.

In light of the growing criticism, the ABMSU's central leadership has attempted to mitigate the situation by distancing themselves from Ali's remarks.

ABMSU President Taison Hussain clarified that Ali's comments do not represent the organization's official position.

“We were protesting against inhumane eviction drives when Mainuddin Ali made those remarks. His statement does not reflect ABMSU’s views,” Hussain explained.

He reiterated that official statements are only issued through the general secretary or president, not by individual members. The organization is currently reviewing the matter internally and emphasized that ABMSU has never opposed the Assamese language.

This controversy arises amidst ongoing eviction drives, adding a new layer of complexity to Assam's enduring discussions surrounding land, identity, language, and citizenship.