Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that he would approach a Juvenile Justice Court seeking legal clarity on the nationality and citizenship status of the minor children of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, triggering a fresh political controversy in the state.
Addressing the media, Sarma claimed that under Indian law, parents cannot unilaterally change the citizenship or religion of their minor children and said the matter requires judicial interpretation. He asserted that the issue was not political but legal in nature and maintained that a juvenile court was the appropriate forum to examine whether such changes, if made, complied with constitutional and statutory provisions.
The Chief Minister further alleged that official records indicate discrepancies related to the children’s citizenship, adding that he would place relevant documents before the court for examination. “This is about the rights of minors and the law of the land. Only a court can decide whether any violation has taken place,” Sarma said.
Reacting sharply, Gaurav Gogoi and the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee condemned the Chief Minister’s remarks, accusing him of dragging minors into political disputes. Gogoi said the public disclosure of personal details related to his children was unethical and legally questionable. He also indicated that legal options under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act were being explored to address what he termed a breach of children’s privacy.
The Congress has described the CM’s move as politically motivated and an attempt to divert attention from governance issues, while the BJP has defended Sarma’s stand, arguing that the matter concerns adherence to legal procedures and child rights.
The controversy has intensified the ongoing political rivalry between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Assam, with legal experts noting that the case could set important precedents on parental authority, citizenship, and privacy protections for minors. As of now, no formal petition has been filed, but the Chief Minister has reiterated that he will move the court in the coming days.
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