Assam CM Warns Madani Strongly
Introduction
The political landscape in Assam has once again heated up following a sharp exchange of words between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and All India Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Mahmood A. Madani. The controversy stems from Madani’s visit to Goalpara district, where he inspected sites of recent eviction drives conducted by the Assam government. While Madani voiced concerns over the eviction process and called for adherence to Supreme Court guidelines, Sarma responded with a stern warning, asserting that if Madani “crosses his limits,” he would face arrest.
This confrontation has not only highlighted the ongoing debate around land encroachments and eviction policies in Assam but has also underscored the friction between political and religious leadership in the state. The statements made by the chief minister further indicate the BJP-led government’s uncompromising stance on encroachment issues and its broader political strategy to counter opposition voices.
Background of the Eviction Drive in Assam
For years, Assam has witnessed recurring disputes over land encroachments, particularly in districts with large tracts of government-designated land such as forest reserves, Village Grazing Reserves (VGRs), and Professional Grazing Reserves (PGRs). Successive governments have attempted eviction drives to reclaim land, but such operations often trigger political, social, and humanitarian debates.
The BJP government under Himanta Biswa Sarma has intensified eviction efforts, citing the need to protect government land, prevent deforestation, and reclaim property for public use. However, critics argue that many evicted families belong to marginalized communities who claim to have lived on these lands for decades. This conflict between law enforcement and humanitarian considerations frequently sparks nationwide attention.
Madani’s visit to Goalpara must be seen in this context. As a religious and community leader, his presence was intended to highlight concerns about fairness, legality, and the humanitarian impact of the ongoing evictions.
Madani’s Visit and His Statements
Mahmood A. Madani, the president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, visited Goalpara on September 1 to assess the situation on the ground after several families were displaced due to eviction drives. Following his inspection, he held a press conference on September 2, where he demanded that eviction operations in Assam must strictly follow Supreme Court guidelines.
According to Madani, while the state has the right to reclaim encroached government land, it must do so in a manner that ensures justice and avoids unnecessary suffering. He emphasized that the eviction process should be transparent, humane, and legally sound, adding that sudden displacements create immense hardships for families, particularly women and children.
Madani’s intervention was seen as an attempt to voice the concerns of those affected by the evictions and to remind the state government of its constitutional responsibilities.
Sarma’s Strong Response
In response, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma did not mince words. Speaking to reporters in Hojai on September 2, Sarma dismissed Madani’s visit and comments, calling him a “valueless topic.”
“Who is Madani? Is he a God? Madani’s bravado is only during Congress, not with the BJP. If he crosses his limits, I will put him behind bars. I am the CM, not Madani. I am not scared of Madani,” Sarma declared.
Sarma accused Madani of gaining prominence only during Congress regimes and claimed that the BJP government does not fear such interventions. He further stated that Madani’s visit to Goalpara had in fact served as a lesson to him about the realities of land encroachment. “I allowed him to go and see for himself how much worse it can happen if someone encroaches land. Now, he won’t tell others to encroach land because they will be scared only if these leaders witness the scene,” Sarma added.
BJP’s Position on Encroachment
The Assam chief minister reiterated that his government would continue eviction drives wherever necessary, particularly in forest reserves, VGRs, and PGRs. He maintained that unknown individuals or groups living on such lands would be evicted without hesitation.
“If unknown people stay in the forest, Village Grazing Reserve and Professional Grazing Reserve, then eviction will definitely take place. Now, they know what I am,” Sarma asserted.
This statement underscores the BJP government’s determination to push forward with eviction policies despite opposition from various quarters, including religious and community leaders.
Political Undertones of the Controversy
Sarma’s remarks that Madani is only relevant during Congress rule reveal the underlying political undertones of this confrontation. The BJP has often accused the Congress of appeasing certain religious groups for electoral gains, while positioning itself as a party that enforces the rule of law without bias.
By dismissing Madani’s intervention as politically motivated, Sarma attempted to frame the issue not as a humanitarian concern but as an attempt by opposition-aligned leaders to interfere in governance. This framing also resonates with the BJP’s broader political narrative in Assam, where land, identity, and encroachment issues are deeply tied to electoral politics.
Reactions and Public Debate
The war of words has sparked a wider debate in Assam and beyond. Supporters of the chief minister argue that the government must stand firm against encroachments and that no religious or political leader should be allowed to interfere with lawful processes. They see Sarma’s warning as a reflection of strong governance.
On the other hand, critics argue that the government’s aggressive eviction drives often lack sensitivity and displace vulnerable families without adequate rehabilitation measures. They believe that Madani was right in highlighting the need to adhere to Supreme Court guidelines and that dismissing such concerns outright undermines democratic accountability.
Civil society groups, human rights activists, and opposition parties are likely to use this controversy to demand more humane policies. The BJP, however, appears determined to stand its ground, banking on its narrative of law, order, and governance.
Historical Context: Assam’s Eviction Drives
Assam’s eviction drives are not new. Over the past two decades, successive governments have launched eviction operations in districts such as Darrang, Nagaon, Goalpara, and Hojai. These operations are often justified as efforts to protect government land and natural resources, but they have also led to clashes, loss of lives, and displacement crises.
For example, the eviction drive in Darrang district in 2021 turned violent, resulting in the deaths of two people. That incident triggered widespread criticism and raised questions about the government’s approach. The Goalpara evictions, while less violent, have reignited those debates.
Sarma’s stern warning to Madani is therefore not just about one leader’s comments but part of a broader pattern of the BJP government’s no-compromise stance on land issues in Assam.
Implications Moving Forward
The immediate implication of this controversy is heightened tension between the state government and community leaders like Madani. The warning of arrest issued by the chief minister signals that the government will not tolerate external interventions it deems as disruptive.
At the same time, the humanitarian questions raised by eviction drives remain unresolved. While Sarma’s government emphasizes law and order, critics continue to question whether adequate rehabilitation plans are in place for displaced families. Without addressing these concerns, the issue is likely to resurface again and again, regardless of political warnings.
The controversy also highlights the delicate balance between governance, politics, and religion in Assam. Leaders like Madani represent influential voices among certain sections of society, and dismissing them outright could further polarize the political environment.
Conclusion
The confrontation between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Mahmood A. Madani reflects the complex dynamics of governance, politics, and community representation in Assam. While Sarma’s government continues to push ahead with aggressive eviction drives, leaders like Madani demand legal adherence and humanitarian consideration.
Sarma’s warning that Madani would be arrested if he “crosses limits” demonstrates the BJP government’s uncompromising approach, but it also raises questions about the space for dissent and dialogue in a democratic setup.
As Assam grapples with land encroachment issues, the debate is far from over. The clash between strong governance and humanitarian accountability will likely remain at the center of the state’s political discourse in the coming years.