Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday stated that ‘Miyas’ will face “trouble” as long as he is in power, underlining that they should experience persistent difficulties to prompt them to leave the state. The term ‘Miya’ is generally used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam.
Sarma maintained that ‘Miyas’ are “illegal Bangladeshis” and should not be permitted to work in Assam.
Addressing reporters during a government event, Sarma said, “If I remain in Assam, they will face troubles.” “They can’t live in peace here. If we create troubles for them, only then will they leave,” he added.
Responding to a previous statement about the rickshaw fare charged by Miya workers, Sarma explained, “I had, in fact, spoken for their benefit. If one goes by law, they cannot work here. Citizens of a country can work in their own land. How can those from Bangladesh work?”
“If they cannot accept me speaking for their benefit, then I have to only work against them,” Sarma added. Time and again, Sarma has claimed that “Bangladeshi Muslims” could form 40 per cent of Assam’s population in the next Census.
The chief minister has also accused the community of encroaching on ‘satras’ (Vaishnavite seats of learning), land, and participating in activities he termed as ‘love jihad’ and ‘fertiliser jihad.’
Last week, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board targeted Sarma over his recent remarks on Miya Muslims, calling them “anti-Muslim, dangerous and deeply divisive.” They further asked the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and President Droupadi Murmu to intervene.
This was in response to Sarma’s claim that “Bangladeshi Miyas” are living in Assam”.
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Published By:
Sayan Ganguly
Published On:
Feb 1, 2026
