Why is Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Criticizing Congress Over Temple Desecration?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma criticizes Congress for their response to temple desecration.
- The incident has escalated political tensions in Assam.
- Investigation ongoing with 50 arrests made so far.
- Importance of evidence in public accusations emphasized.
- Broader implications for communal relations in the region.
Guwahati, June 16 (NationPress) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered a fierce critique of the Congress party on Monday, accusing it of fostering “cheap thinking” amidst allegations of temple desecration in the state’s Dhubri district.
Sarma asserted that beef was intentionally thrown into a Hanuman temple in Dhubri, emphasizing that those taken into custody in relation to this incident are from the minority community. “Look at the cheap thinking of Congress. Beef was thrown in the Hanuman temple of Assam. The culprits are from the minority community, but Congress is blaming Hindus. This is the politics of Congress,” Sarma claimed.
The Chief Minister went on to accuse Congress of promoting “appeasement politics” and questioned the rationale behind implying that a Hindu could have been responsible for such a desecration. “Just imagine how narrow-minded one must be to believe a Hindu would desecrate a temple with beef,” he stated. “If anyone wants to file such a complaint, the first question should be: what proof do you have?”
Sarma insisted that in earlier incidents of a similar nature, including the recent one in Dhubri, those arrested have largely been from the minority community. Nonetheless, he made it clear that these actions were perpetrated by “a few miscreants”, not representing the wider community. “It’s important to note that most people from the minority community condemn such acts,” he added.
“Not everyone is involved. But yes, there are a few who engage in this kind of mischief.” The Chief Minister also called on political leaders and critics to avoid making public accusations without presenting evidence. “Those accusing Hindus must come forward with evidence. Such statements, without proof, only serve to malign an entire community,” he said.
The incident has escalated political tensions in Assam, with the Congress party challenging the state government's narrative and cautioning against communalising the issue. The government, for its part, has stated that the investigation is driven by factual evidence rather than political influence.
As the investigation continues, this controversy highlights the ongoing and often volatile interplay between religion and politics within Assam's intricate socio-political landscape. Notably, following the discovery of a suspected cattle head near the Hanuman Mandir in Ward No. 3, police have detained 50 individuals to date.