'Should We Open Our Doors To Infiltrators?': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma On INDI Alliance Filing Complaint Against Him Over Jharkhand Speech

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has refuted INDI Alliance's allegations that he was inciting communal tension in Jharkhand ahead of the state Assembly elections.

Sarma's statements have led to a formal complaint by the INDI Alliance, who accuse the Assam CM of targeting Muslims and creating a "civil war-like situation".

The INDI Alliance has registered a complaint with the state Chief Electoral Officer, seeking action against the BJP leader.

In its letter to the poll panel, the INDI bloc accused Sarma of targeting Muslims at a rally in Jharkhand's Sarath.

"His use of extremely divisive and hateful words in the speech targeting the Muslim minorities by saying words like 'Woh log ek hi jageh par vote daalte hain lekin humaara Hindu aadha vote idhar daalega aadha udhar (They will vote for the same person, but Hindus will not vote together)' and 'ye sarkar ghuspaithiya ko bulaata hai kyuki vishesh samudaay unko vote deta hai (This government calls infiltrators because a particular community votes for it)' are clear examples of the venomous language being used by him to create a civil war-like situation and incite violence in the ensuing assembly elections," the letter said, NDTV reported.

The INDI Alliance alleged that the 'hate speech' given by Sarma, who is the BJP co-incharge of Jharkhand, is an example of the divisive politics being promoted by him and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"He has knowingly coloured all the people of a particular religious minority in one shade and portrayed all of them to be infiltrators to exploit existing social divisions and exacerbate them for political gain create communal tension and break the social fabric of the state of Jharkhand for electoral gains," the INDI Alliance alleged.

Trashing the allegations by INDI Alliance, the Assam CM said that talking about Hindus does not mean targeting Muslims.

"Why complain against me? What am I saying? Why are they hurt when I am speaking against the infiltrators? Where is it written that it is wrong to speak against infiltrators? Should we open our doors to infiltrators? Talking about Hindus doesn't mean targeting Muslims. I don't even utter the word - Muslim. India is a Hindu civilisation and to talk about protecting them is a positive thing. Some Muslim leader may speak about protecting Muslims. We have no objection," Sarma told the mediapersons.

On the controversy over his remark that Hussainabad subdivision in Palamu district will become a district named after Ram or Krishna if the BJP comes to power, Sarma said, "Is it a crime to talk about changing the name of a place? Then the Jharkhand movement was illegal too."

Elections for 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly will be conducted in two phases on 13 November and 20 November, with the counting of votes scheduled for 23 November.

Also Read: Amit Shah Releases BJP Manifesto For Jharkhand Assembly Polls: Here Are The Key Highlights