Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stirred controversy by blaming the 'Miya' Muslim community for the inflated prices of vegetables in the state. The Chief Minister alleged that the prices of vegetables significantly increase when they are brought from rural areas to urban centres, and he claimed that most of the sellers responsible for the price hike are from the 'Miya' community.
Chief Minister Sarma expressed concern over the increasing influence of the 'Miya' Muslim community in the local vegetable markets of Guwahati, the state's capital. He argued that the community, which comprises descendants of migrant Bengali Muslims from present-day Bangladesh, is charging exorbitant prices from the Assamese people.
Sarma went on to assert that if Assamese youths were selling vegetables, they would not exploit their fellow citizens by charging inflated prices.
Taking a strong stance, Chief Minister Sarma urged Assamese youths to step forward, vowing to drive away all 'Miya' Muslim vegetable sellers from the city. He also drew attention to the increasing presence of the 'Miya' community in various sectors of the state, such as cab and bus services, which he claimed is a growing concern.
In response to Sarma's remarks, Badruddin Ajmal, the Chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), emphasized the bond between the 'Miya' Muslims and the Assamese people. Ajmal stated that the two communities are like brothers and asserted that the state cannot exist without the Muslim community.
The Chief Minister's comments come amidst a period of soaring vegetable prices across Assam, leading to public discontent and questions directed towards the government regarding the lack of respite from the price rise.