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On the occasion of Lachit Divas, which commemorates the heroic 17th-century Ahom general Lachit Borphukan who defended Assam against the Mughals, BJP Assam President and Darrang-Udalguri MP Dilip Saikia launched a sharp attack on AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal. Saikia warned that communal and fundamentalist forces like Ajmal would no longer be allowed to operate unchecked and are firmly under the scrutiny of both the Assam government and the Union government. “Ajmal should not think for a moment that he is not under the radar,” Saikia said. “In Assam, fundamentalist and communal forces are being closely monitored by the state government and the Government of India. No one can get away with anything. Even if someone has made mistakes in the past, let this be a warning that such actions will not be tolerated anymore. For the sake of the country, for the sake of our motherland, we must unite.” The BJP leader’s remarks come amid rising political tensions between the BJP-led government and the AIUDF, which has established itself as a major voice for Assam’s Muslim community. Saikia’s comments were seen as a response to several recent provocative actions by Ajmal. On November 19, Ajmal visited Nagaon Central Jail to meet jailed AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam and called the BJP the “main enemy,” saying that his party would contest the 2026 Assam Assembly elections independently, without any alliance with the Congress. In the days following, Ajmal targeted Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, labeling him an “ungrateful, hypocrite, and anti-Muslim” leader, accusing the government of sidelining Muslim interests in Assam’s policies. Ajmal also mocked the Congress, calling it “terrified” of a potential Muslim front in Assam and hinting at outreach to Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM, while accusing Congress of being riddled with “BJP agents.” According to BJP leaders, these actions are not merely political rhetoric but deliberate attempts to polarize Assam along religious lines. Saikia said, “Everyone is under the radar of the Home Minister’s department. Today, on Lachit Borphukan Day, we may forgive, but from now on, the government will act against anti-national and communal activities.” Ajmal’s record has long drawn criticism from the BJP. In February 2025, he was forced to apologize for “sexist” remarks targeting the wife of an Assam MLA. Two months later, he distanced his party from comments justifying the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which led to the arrest of a party MLA under the National Security Act (NSA). Saikia highlighted these incidents as examples of the AIUDF’s tendency to engage in what he called “two sides of the same coin” politics alongside Congress, which, he argued, undermines national security. Ajmal’s controversial statements go back even further. In October 2024, he claimed that the Indian Parliament was built on Waqf property, which BJP leaders dismissed as a baseless attempt to stir communal tension. Around the same time, he opposed proposals to regulate madrasas, criticizing the BJP for allegedly targeting minority education, while the BJP countered that some institutions could be breeding grounds for radicalization. More recently, Ajmal has promised to challenge MLA Aminul Islam’s detention in the Supreme Court, claiming it was politically motivated. Saikia rejected this claim, stating that the NSA action was a lawful response to conspiratorial threats against Assam’s peace and security. Saikia also pointed out that Assam’s intelligence apparatus and the Union Home Ministry are actively monitoring potential threats. Under Chief Minister Sarma, the state has already taken action against child marriages, which Ajmal once criticized as targeting Muslims. Sarma has also hinted at enforcing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), warning Ajmal to remarry before the UCC’s implementation to avoid legal consequences—a clear signal of the BJP’s intent to address what it sees as regressive personal laws. Despite criticism, Ajmal remains a strong political figure. As a businessman and philanthropist with deep roots in Assam’s Muslim-majority areas, he enjoys significant support among the “Miya” community, and analysts predict the AIUDF could win 16–22 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, potentially outpacing a weakened Congress. His past controversies, including urging Hindus to adopt Muslim “marriage formulas” for larger families, continue to draw criticism and occasional public apologies.

On the occasion of Lachit Divas, which commemorates the heroic 17th-century Ahom general Lachit Borphukan who defended Assam against the Mughals, BJP Assam President and Darrang-Udalguri MP Dilip Saikia launched a sharp attack on AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal. Saikia warned that communal and fundamentalist forces like Ajmal would no longer be allowed to operate unchecked and are firmly under the scrutiny of both the Assam government and the Union government. “Ajmal should not think for a moment that he is not under the radar,” Saikia said. “In Assam, fundamentalist and communal forces are being closely monitored by the state government and the Government of India. No one can get away with anything. Even if someone has made mistakes in the past, let this be a warning that such actions will not be tolerated anymore. For the sake of the country, for the sake of our motherland, we must unite.” The BJP leader’s remarks come amid rising political tensions between the BJP-led government and the AIUDF, which has established itself as a major voice for Assam’s Muslim community. Saikia’s comments were seen as a response to several recent provocative actions by Ajmal. On November 19, Ajmal visited Nagaon Central Jail to meet jailed AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam and called the BJP the “main enemy,” saying that his party would contest the 2026 Assam Assembly elections independently, without any alliance with the Congress. In the days following, Ajmal targeted Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, labeling him an “ungrateful, hypocrite, and anti-Muslim” leader, accusing the government of sidelining Muslim interests in Assam’s policies. Ajmal also mocked the Congress, calling it “terrified” of a potential Muslim front in Assam and hinting at outreach to Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM, while accusing Congress of being riddled with “BJP agents.” According to BJP leaders, these actions are not merely political rhetoric but deliberate attempts to polarize Assam along religious lines. Saikia said, “Everyone is under the radar of the Home Minister’s department. Today, on Lachit Borphukan Day, we may forgive, but from now on, the government will act against anti-national and communal activities.” Ajmal’s record has long drawn criticism from the BJP. In February 2025, he was forced to apologize for “sexist” remarks targeting the wife of an Assam MLA. Two months later, he distanced his party from comments justifying the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which led to the arrest of a party MLA under the National Security Act (NSA). Saikia highlighted these incidents as examples of the AIUDF’s tendency to engage in what he called “two sides of the same coin” politics alongside Congress, which, he argued, undermines national security. Ajmal’s controversial statements go back even further. In October 2024, he claimed that the Indian Parliament was built on Waqf property, which BJP leaders dismissed as a baseless attempt to stir communal tension. Around the same time, he opposed proposals to regulate madrasas, criticizing the BJP for allegedly targeting minority education, while the BJP countered that some institutions could be breeding grounds for radicalization. More recently, Ajmal has promised to challenge MLA Aminul Islam’s detention in the Supreme Court, claiming it was politically motivated. Saikia rejected this claim, stating that the NSA action was a lawful response to conspiratorial threats against Assam’s peace and security. Saikia also pointed out that Assam’s intelligence apparatus and the Union Home Ministry are actively monitoring potential threats. Under Chief Minister Sarma, the state has already taken action against child marriages, which Ajmal once criticized as targeting Muslims. Sarma has also hinted at enforcing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), warning Ajmal to remarry before the UCC’s implementation to avoid legal consequences—a clear signal of the BJP’s intent to address what it sees as regressive personal laws. Despite criticism, Ajmal remains a strong political figure. As a businessman and philanthropist with deep roots in Assam’s Muslim-majority areas, he enjoys significant support among the “Miya” community, and analysts predict the AIUDF could win 16–22 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, potentially outpacing a weakened Congress. His past controversies, including urging Hindus to adopt Muslim “marriage formulas” for larger families, continue to draw criticism and occasional public apologies.

1
Northeast

BJP sounds warning on Lachit Divas: Ajmal and communal forces on government radar

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BJP to axe 12–15 MLAs; 60+ leaders likely to be shifted to Rajya Sabha

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Assam Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi slams CM Sarma for downplaying threat to journalist’s child

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1
Northeast

Assam Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi slams CM Sarma for downplaying threat to journalist’s child

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1
Northeast

Himanta: Marry more than one woman and face 7 years in jail

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1
Northeast

‘Your child will suffer’: Retired IAS officer’s horrific threat to journalist in Zubeen Garg case triggers outrage

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1
Northeast

Zubeen Garg death case: Debabrata Saikia submits affidavit flagging CM’s role in Northeast Festival

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AAMSU issues stern warning to CM over 'Miya' remarks

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1
Northeast

AAMSU issues stern warning to CM over ‘Miya’ remarks

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Massive Adivasi rally in Kokrajhar demands ST status and peace accord implementation

Massive Adivasi rally in Kokrajhar demands ST status and peace accord implementation

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No 'Miya' will find peace as long as I’m CM: Himanta Biswa Sarma

No 'Miya' will find peace as long as I’m CM: Himanta Biswa Sarma

1
Northeast

No ‘Miya’ will find peace as long as I’m CM: Himanta Biswa Sarma

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A tale of two tweets: CM announces exams, Education Minister celebrates silk

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A tale of two tweets: CM announces exams, Education Minister celebrates silk

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