Political Storm in Assam Over Demand for Reservation of 48 Seats for ‘Miya Muslim’ Community; BJP Launches Sharp Attack on Congress

A major political controversy has erupted in Assam after a Congress leader reportedly demanded reservation of 48 Assembly seats for the ‘Miya Muslim’ community. The issue has triggered a fierce backlash from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the Congress of pursuing divisive politics and undermining Assam’s indigenous identity.

Reacting strongly, Assam BJP spokesperson Kamal Kumar Medhi alleged that the Congress is attempting to polarise society by promoting sectarian demands. He termed the proposal a “dangerous agenda of Islamic radical politics” and claimed it was aimed at weakening the rights and political representation of Assam’s indigenous communities.

BJP Accuses Congress of Abandoning Nationalist Legacy

Medhi launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that the party has abandoned its nationalist legacy and is now following the ideological path of the Muslim League. He invoked the legacy of Assam’s first Chief Minister Gopinath Bordoloi, stating that earlier Congress leaders had strongly opposed any attempt to merge Assam with Pakistan, while the present leadership was allegedly reviving similar divisive ideas under a different guise.

“The Congress that once protected Assam’s territorial and cultural integrity has now become a platform for dangerous communal experiments,” Medhi said.

Controversy Triggered by Congress Leader’s Statement

According to the BJP, the controversy began after Mohsin Khan, a Congress spokesperson and National Secretary of the party’s student wing NSUI, allegedly demanded reservation of 48 out of 126 Assembly seats for Miya Muslims. Medhi described the statement as irresponsible and deeply alarming, particularly at a time when regional security concerns remain high in the Northeast.

He further alleged that the demand reflects an attempt to establish the political dominance of radical elements, warning that such ideas could destabilize Assam’s social harmony.

BJP Questions Congress Leadership’s Silence

The BJP also questioned the silence of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, led by Gaurav Gogoi, and the NSUI’s national leadership. Medhi claimed that neither the state Congress nor the central leadership had condemned or distanced themselves from Mohsin Khan’s remarks, calling the silence a “tacit approval” of the demand.

He further alleged that several Congress leaders close to Gogoi had earlier supported similar ideas, indicating what he described as a long-standing political conspiracy to weaken indigenous Assamese society.

Revival of ‘Miyaland’ Debate

The BJP spokesperson recalled earlier demands made by certain Congress leaders, including Rakibul Hussain, related to the creation of a separate ‘Miyaland’, a Miya autonomous council, and even a Miya museum at Kalakshetra. He claimed these demands pointed towards a well-orchestrated political agenda rather than isolated statements.

BJP Vows Strong Resistance

Issuing a strong warning, the Assam BJP said it would firmly oppose any attempt to divide the state on religious or communal lines. Medhi asserted that the people of Assam—whom he described as a society with a long history of resisting external domination—would stand united to protect the state’s indigenous identity, social fabric, and constitutional values.

“The people of Assam will not tolerate any conspiracy that threatens their unity and cultural heritage,” he said.

The controversy has further heated Assam’s political climate, with the issue expected to dominate public discourse in the coming days as parties trade accusations ahead of future electoral battles.