A political induction ceremony meant to bolster the Congress party in Assam has instead sparked a fierce debate across the state. On Sunday, January 11th, the Congress welcomed Rejaul Karim Sarkar into its fold during an event held at the Manabendra Sharma Complex in Guwahati. Sarkar, who previously served as the president of the All Assam Minorities Students Union (AAMSU), joined the party in the presence of senior leaders, including the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President, Gaurav Gogoi.

However, the event took a controversial turn when Sarkar took the stage. His speech has drawn sharp criticism for suggesting a significant demographic overhaul of the state's Upper Assam region. He explicitly threatened to transform areas traditionally inhabited by indigenous communities to mirror the social composition of Dhubri.

In a statement that has since gone viral, Rejaul declared, “We will make Sivasagar like Dhubri, will turn Dhubri into Sivasagar, will make Barak (south Assam districts) like Sivasagar and will turn Tinsukia into Dhubri. We are going ahead to make such an Assam under Gaurav Gogoi.”

This declaration was made while standing alongside Gaurav Gogoi. Rather than distancing himself from the remarks, Gogoi defended the sentiment, framing it within the context of "Bor Asom," a concept that envisions a greater, unified Assam.

The reaction from the ruling government was swift and severe. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lashed out at Gaurav Gogoi, who is the Member of Parliament for Jorhat. The Chief Minister questioned why Gogoi remained silent when such objectionable remarks were made about Sivasagar, which is a key part of his own Lok Sabha constituency.

CM Sarma characterized the comments as a direct threat to the indigenous population. He warned that the Congress party effectively plans to relocate illegal immigrants to Sivasagar and Tinsukia, aiming to turn these districts into what he described as “Miya land.” He further cautioned that if the Congress manages to return to power, migrant Muslims of Bangladeshi descent—often referred to locally as "Miyas"—would overrun the state.

Providing historical context to his concerns, the Chief Minister highlighted how demographic changes have already altered districts like Dhubri. “It was condemnable that in a Congress joining programme today, they said they will turn Sivasagar and Tinsukia into Dhubri. Koch Rajbongshis and other tribes used to live in Dhubri, but the influx of Bangladeshi people turned Dhubri into a district where 80 or 85% people are of Bangladeshi origin today. Hindus have become a minority there,” Sarma noted.

His condemnation of the event was absolute. Expressing his intolerance for such rhetoric, he stated firmly, “If someone had made such a statement in front of me, I would have shoved them out.”

The controversy also drew a strong response from other local leaders. Akhil Gogoi, the chief of the Raijor Dal and the current MLA representing Sivasagar, reacted furiously to Rejaul’s comments. He asserted that any deliberate attempt to incite social unrest or political conflict in the region would be met with decisive resistance.

Upper Assam Erupts in Anger: Groups Threaten Bans and Protests Intensify Over Congress Leader’s Remarks

The political atmosphere in Assam has turned volatile following controversial statements made by newly inducted Congress member Rejaul Karim Sarkar. His remarks, which drew parallels between the demographics of Upper Assam and Dhubri, have triggered a wave of intense protests across the region. Local organisations and indigenous groups have reacted with fury, viewing the comments as a direct affront to the cultural heritage of Upper Assam.

Leading the charge is the Asomiya Yuva Mancha, which has issued a stern warning in response to the controversy. The organisation has threatened to ban Rejaul Karim Sarkar from entering Upper Assam entirely, signalling a complete breakdown of trust between the leader and the local communities he claims to represent. Their stance reflects a broader sentiment of rejection among indigenous groups who feel their identity is being undermined by such political rhetoric.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground has escalated further. In Lakhimpur, members of the Bir Lachit Sena took to the streets on Sunday to register their dissent. The protestors voiced strong opposition to the Congress party, accusing it of harbouring what they described as a “love for Miya Muslims” at the expense of indigenous interests. These demonstrations highlighted long-standing grievances that have resurfaced following Sarkar’s induction and remarks.

Critics have noted that the seriousness of the issue is compounded by the context in which the statement was made. It was not an offhand remark but a declaration delivered immediately after Sarkar joined the Congress, and notably, in the presence of senior leader Gaurav Gogoi. This has prompted questions about the party’s official position and internal approval of such views.

The backlash is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural significance of the region. Local voices have been unanimous in stressing that Upper Assam cannot be reduced to a political experiment. The prevailing sentiment has been expressed in strong terms:

“Sivasagar is not an experiment lab for reckless political statements. It has a rich history, a strong cultural identity, and a social balance built over generations. Dragging it into loaded comparisons under the disguise of ‘harmony’ is deeply irresponsible.”

The growing public outcry suggests that if such divisive narratives are being normalised within mainstream politics, the anger witnessed across Upper Assam is neither unexpected nor unjustified. Compounding the situation further is the continued silence from the Congress leadership, which has only intensified public unease and deepened distrust among the electorate.