Badruddin Ajmal alleges Muslims in Assam live in fear under Himanta Sarma
Synopsis
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal has accused Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma of being the country's top purveyor of hate speech, alleging Muslims in the state live in fear. In the same breath, he urged Muslims to declare Assamese as their mother tongue in the Census — a move that cuts against the BJP's narrative and reframes the community's identity politics in Assam.
Key Takeaways
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal alleged on Monday that Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's politics and statements have left Muslims in the state living in fear.
Ajmal called Sarma 'number one' in making hate comments — a charge the BJP has not yet publicly addressed.
Ajmal appealed to Assam's Muslim community to register Assamese as their mother tongue in the upcoming Census , citing cultural integration.
The Ajmal Foundation , he said, runs institutions that educate students from all communities, including Hindu boys and girls.
Ajmal suggested senior Congress leader and Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain replace Gaurav Gogoi as Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president.
Ajmal recently won the Binnakandi Assembly seat, beginning his second term as a legislator.
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal on Monday launched a pointed attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that the Muslim community across the state has been living in fear owing to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's politics and public statements. Ajmal made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Guwahati.
Ajmal's Allegations Against CM Sarma
The AIUDF chief alleged that Sarma leads the country when it comes to making divisive remarks. 'Himanta Biswa Sarma is number one when it comes to making hate comments. Because of his politics and statements, Muslims in Assam are living in fear,' Ajmal alleged. The BJP and CM Sarma have not yet responded publicly to the charges.
Ajmal, who recently won the Binnakandi Assembly seat in the state Assembly polls — marking his second stint as a legislator — has been among the most vocal critics of the current Assam government. His remarks are expected to trigger fresh political reactions from both the BJP and the Indian National Congress (Congress) in the coming days.
Muslim Community's Commitment to Social Harmony
Despite his sharp criticism, Ajmal was quick to assert that members of the Muslim community remain firmly committed to Assam's social fabric. He cited educational institutions run by the Ajmal Foundation as evidence of inclusive work on the ground.
'In Ajmal Foundation institutions, not only Muslim students but Hindu boys and girls also study. We have always worked for education and social development without discrimination,' he said.
Census Appeal: Muslims Should Declare Assamese as Mother Tongue
Turning to the upcoming national Census exercise, Ajmal urged Muslims in Assam to register Assamese as their mother tongue. He argued that doing so would reflect the reality of the community's cultural integration with broader Assamese society and strengthen communal bonds.
'This time, during the Census, Muslims should write Assamese as their language. It will reflect the reality of our integration with Assamese culture and society,' he said. The appeal is notable given the longstanding linguistic and demographic debates that have shaped Assam's political landscape for decades.
Ajmal Backs Rakibul Hussain for Assam Congress Chief
The AIUDF leader also weighed in on the leadership question within the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), suggesting that Dhubri Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain should replace incumbent chief Gaurav Gogoi as state Congress president. Ajmal argued that Hussain's extensive political experience and grassroots connect could strengthen the Congress organisation in Assam ahead of future electoral contests.
The intervention is significant given that AIUDF and Congress have at times competed for the same voter base in Assam, making Ajmal's unsolicited counsel on Congress leadership a politically layered move. How the Congress responds to the suggestion will be closely watched.
Point of View
But the Census appeal is the more consequential move — urging Muslims to declare Assamese as their mother tongue is a direct attempt to defuse the demographic anxiety that has powered BJP politics in the state for years. If the community responds in numbers, it complicates the BJP's narrative around illegal immigration and linguistic identity. Ajmal's unsolicited advice on Congress leadership is equally calculated: by publicly backing Rakibul Hussain, he nudges the opposition toward a Muslim-friendly face while keeping AIUDF relevant in a space where Congress has been trying to consolidate minority votes independently. The real story here is not the rhetoric — it is the quiet repositioning.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Badruddin Ajmal allege against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma?
Ajmal alleged that CM Sarma's politics and public statements have caused Muslims in Assam to live in fear, calling him 'number one' in making hate comments. The BJP has not yet issued a formal response to these allegations.
Why did Ajmal urge Muslims to declare Assamese as their mother tongue in the Census?
Ajmal argued that registering Assamese as their mother tongue would reflect the Muslim community's genuine cultural integration with Assamese society and help strengthen communal bonds. The appeal comes ahead of India's upcoming national Census exercise.
Who is Badruddin Ajmal and what is the AIUDF?
Badruddin Ajmal is the chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), a regional political party with a significant base among Muslims in Assam. He recently won the Binnakandi Assembly seat, marking his second term as a state legislator.
Why did Ajmal suggest Rakibul Hussain as Assam Congress president?
Ajmal argued that Dhubri Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain's long political experience and grassroots connect make him better placed than incumbent Gaurav Gogoi to strengthen the Congress organisation in Assam ahead of future elections.
What is the Ajmal Foundation?
The Ajmal Foundation is a charitable organisation run by Badruddin Ajmal that operates educational institutions in Assam. Ajmal cited it as an example of the Muslim community's commitment to inclusive development, noting that Hindu students also study in its schools.
