CM Himanta invokes Vijayadashami to signal dharma's triumph
Synopsis
On Vijayadashami 2026, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted that forces conspiring against India had gone quiet with the festival's arrival, calling it proof of dharma's eternal victory over adharma in Sanatan culture.
Key Takeaways
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on 21 October 2026 , coinciding with Vijayadashami .
He claimed that asuri shaktiyan (demonic forces) conspiring against India had gone quiet with the festival's arrival.
Sarma framed the moment as a real-world manifestation of dharma triumphing over adharma — the core symbolism of Vijayadashami.
The specific groups or conspiracies referenced were not named in the post.
The statement fits a broader pattern of BJP leaders invoking Hindu cultural and mythological narratives to frame political developments.
As NEDA convenor , Sarma's messaging carries weight across multiple north-eastern states.
On the occasion of Vijayadashami 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma drew a pointed parallel between the festival's ancient symbolism and what he described as a silencing of forces conspiring against the nation — framing the moment as a living proof of dharma over adharma.
Posting on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, Sarma wrote in Hindi: 'You are all seeing how, with the arrival of Vijayadashami, the demonic forces that were hatching conspiracies against the country have gone quiet. This is our Sanatan culture — this is the victory of dharma over adharma.'
The festival's symbolism and Sarma's framing
Vijayadashami — popularly known as Dussehra — marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana in Hindu tradition, and is observed as one of the most significant festivals in the Sanatan calendar. For Sarma, the festival's narrative of righteousness defeating evil was not merely mythological; he cast it as a real-time political and cultural statement, suggesting that forces he termed 'asuri shaktiyan' (demonic forces) had been neutralised in step with the festival's arrival.BJP's pattern of invoking Sanatan symbols in political discourse
Sarma's post is consistent with a well-established pattern among BJP leaders — in Assam and nationally — of anchoring contemporary political messaging in Hindu mythological narratives. Invoking festivals like Vijayadashami to frame security or political developments as battles between good and evil has become a recurring rhetorical device. It simultaneously speaks to cultural pride among the Hindu community and positions adversaries — left unnamed — within a moral cosmology where their defeat is preordained. As convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), Sarma occupies a platform that extends well beyond Assam's borders, amplifying the political resonance of such statements across the north-eastern region. The specific conspiracies or actors Sarma referred to as 'asuri shaktiyan' were not identified in the post. Opposition parties are likely to contest the framing, arguing that invoking religious symbolism to characterise political opponents blurs the line between cultural celebration and political targeting. On Vijayadashami, the symbolism is everything — and Sarma has used it to land a message that needs no names to be heard.Point of View
He keeps the statement broadly applicable while inviting audiences to fill in the blank with their own perceived adversaries. This is not new territory for BJP leaders, but Sarma's dual role as Assam CM and NEDA convenor gives the message a regional multiplier. Ahead of any potential electoral or security flashpoints in the north-east, such cultural positioning is rarely accidental.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Himanta Biswa Sarma say on Vijayadashami 2026?
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that with the arrival of Vijayadashami, the 'demonic forces' that were conspiring against India had gone quiet, describing this as the victory of dharma over adharma in Sanatan culture.
What is Vijayadashami and why is it significant?
Vijayadashami, also called Dussehra, is a major Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. It is observed as the symbolic victory of righteousness over evil.
Who are the 'asuri shaktiyan' Himanta Sarma referred to?
Sarma did not name any specific group or individual. He used the term 'asuri shaktiyan' — demonic forces — in a general sense to refer to those he said were conspiring against the country.
Why do BJP leaders invoke Sanatan culture in political statements?
BJP leaders frequently draw on Hindu mythological and cultural symbols to frame political or security developments, connecting contemporary events to narratives of good prevailing over evil that resonate deeply with a large section of the electorate.
What is NEDA and what is Himanta Sarma's role in it?
The North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) is a BJP-led political alliance of parties in India's north-eastern states. Himanta Biswa Sarma serves as its convenor, giving him significant political influence across the region.
