On Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a controversial statement saying he will be biased and will not allow ‘Miya’ Muslims to take over Assam. He made these remarks during a discussion in the Assembly about law and order in the state, following the rape of a 14-year-old girl in Nagaon.

Sarma stated that if population growth were controlled, the crime rate would not increase. When some opposition leaders accused him of bias, he responded, “I will be biased. What can you do about it?”

He further said, “Why would people from Lower Assam go to Upper Assam? So that ‘Miya’ Muslims can take over Assam? We will not let that happen.” The debate heated up, and members from both the ruling and opposition sides came close to the speaker’s chair. As a result, Assembly Speaker Bishwajit Daimary had to suspend the session for 10 minutes.

The Congress, AIUDF, and CPI(M) legislators, along with the lone independent member Akhil Gogoi, had moved a motion to discuss the rising crime rates and the situation concerning crimes against women in the state.