New Delhi: Days after suggesting that the state’s drive against child marriages was in fact targeted at the Muslim community, but Hindus too were arrested to placate the opposition, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said he claims to close all madrasas in the state. Sarma also said that he has already closed 600 madrasas.
“People from Bangladesh come to Assam and create a threat to our civilisation and culture. I have closed 600 madrassas and I intend to close all madrassas because we do not want madrassas. We want schools, colleges and universities,” ANI quoted Sarma as saying. He was addressing a rally in Belgavi’s Shivaji Maharaj Garden, in poll-bound Karnataka.
At the same rally, Sarma also pushed for an idea of Hindu unity and pride, and lashed out at the Congress party.
“There are many people in our country who proudly say they are Muslim, Christian and I have no problem with that but we need a person who can proudly say that I am a Hindu. India needs such a person today,” he said.
#WATCH | Karnataka: There are many people in our country who proudly say they are Muslim, Christian and I have no problem with that but we need a person who can proudly say that I am a Hindu. India needs such a person today: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in Belagavi pic.twitter.com/IJnCWbdqTP
— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2023
The Congress, Sarma claimed, represent the “new Mughals today”. “Congress is today’s new Mughals…they object to Ram Mandir…why? Are they kids of Mughals? Why do they support Babri Masjid but never speak in favour of Ram Mandir…” he said.
“Communist historians wrongly portrayed that Aurangzeb had ruled all over India…but today we need to re-write history…we must tell that Shivaji Maharaj was 100 times more powerful than the Mughal ruler…” the Assam CM said, adding that he wants to convey to “the communists and the Congress that Indian history is not defined by Aurangzeb…it does not belong to Babur….It belongs to leaders such as Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh…” he said.
Elections in Karnataka will be held soon, though the dates are yet to be announced.
In Assam, Sarma has often talked about perceived threat from illegal immigration – which critics believe is a way to stoke sentiments against Bengali Muslims.
In January this year, Sarma had said that those who teach at madrasas may be asked to appear “from time to time” at the nearest police station. He also said that the Assam police is working with Muslims to “rationalise” madrasa education.