Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said he has instructed members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to file complaints against voters he referred to as “Miyas” during the ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in the state, asserting that there was “nothing to hide” about the move.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said BJP workers have been asked to submit objections where they believe ineligible names have been included in the voter lists. “I have told BJP people to file complaints. There is nothing to hide,” the Chief Minister said, defending the action as part of the legal process under the Election Commission’s guidelines.
The complaints are being filed using Form 7, which seeks deletion of a name from the electoral roll on grounds of ineligibility. Sarma claimed the exercise was aimed at identifying people who, according to him, do not belong to Assam and should not be allowed to vote in the state.
The Chief Minister reiterated his position that the issue was not religious, but related to identity and alleged illegal immigration. He maintained that indigenous Assamese people, including Assamese Muslims, were not being targeted by the revision process.
The term “Miya” is commonly used to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims of migrant origin and is widely regarded as derogatory. Sarma’s remarks have triggered strong political reactions, with opposition parties accusing the government of targeting a particular community and attempting to disenfranchise genuine voters ahead of elections.
Opposition leaders have alleged that the Chief Minister’s statements undermine the neutrality of the electoral process and could lead to large-scale exclusion of eligible voters. They have urged the Election Commission to ensure fairness and transparency in the Special Revision.
The Special Revision of electoral rolls, being conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission of India, has emerged as a major political flashpoint in Assam, with debates over citizenship, migration and demography dominating the state’s political discourse.
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