Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has made serious allegations against senior Congress leaders, particularly targeting Bhupen Borah, the former APCC president and Leader of the Opposition. He accused them of making an “obscene and unacceptable gesture” during a public interaction, which he claimed has hurt the sentiments of women and girls in Assam. Sarma expressed that he is addressing the issue with a sense of sadness and described the alleged gesture as “beyond imagination.” He indicated that he would provide more details after the Cabinet briefing later in the day.
The Chief Minister condemned the gesture as insulting to Assamese women and girls, stating that such behavior should not be tolerated in public life. He issued a warning to the Congress party, asserting that if they do not take disciplinary action against those involved, including expulsion, they should not anticipate acceptance from the Assamese populace. Sarma mentioned that videos of the incident had reached him from Delhi, raising concerns about whether such conduct has become normalized in Assam, and he described the visuals as “shocking.”
Sarma speculated that the alleged gesture might have been a response to roadside slogans by women declaring their intention not to vote for Congress, yet he maintained that no provocation can justify such conduct from senior political figures. He expressed surprise that the incident had not been prominently reported in media outlets and questioned why it had not garnered more attention.
The Chief Minister remarked on the troubling implications of a Leader of the Opposition, a former APCC president, and another woman leader, Mira Borthakur, being associated with such actions. He criticized the Congress party, claiming it has descended to its lowest level, and emphasized that he harbors no personal animosity but feels compelled to confront the mentality reflected in such conduct. Sarma sarcastically noted that leaders with such attitudes aspire to hold portfolios related to women’s or social welfare, or even the Chief Minister’s position in the future.
In light of these events, Sarma has formally requested that the Assam State Women’s Commission be forwarded the video clip of the incident, urging them to take the matter seriously due to its implications for the dignity and respect of women. As of the time of reporting, the Congress party has not issued a formal response to these allegations.
