Senior opposition leader and former BJP leader Rajen Gohain has launched a strong attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of trying to damage the long-standing social harmony between Assamese Hindus and Muslims for political benefit.
Speaking to the media, Gohain said that Assamese society has lived together peacefully for generations, and that the Chief Minister’s repeated remarks on “outsiders” and “Bangladeshis” were adding unnecessary tension to social life in the state. He said the Chief Minister should act with more responsibility while talking about sensitive issues that affect the people of Assam.
According to Gohain, the Chief Minister is “trying to set fire to a peaceful society.” He questioned why such issues were being highlighted repeatedly when both communities have lived together for centuries. “Why does the Chief Minister want to destroy the harmony between Assamese Hindus and Muslims?” he asked. 
Gohain also questioned the repeated references to “outsiders,” a term often used in political speeches in Assam. He said that if these people were truly illegal entrants, then the government should have already identified, arrested and deported them through legal procedures. Since this has not happened, he argued that the matter is being raised mainly for political messaging rather than concrete action.
The former Union Minister also criticised the state government on the issue of employment. He said that despite big claims of development, the government has not been able to create enough job opportunities for local youth. He pointed out that people still depend on Muslim workers in many sectors, including masonry, mechanics, electrical repair and other skilled labour.
“In times of need, we still call those very workers whom the Chief Minister calls outsiders,” Gohain said, adding that the government has failed to generate a strong and skilled local workforce.
He further said that the Chief Minister only wants to present himself as strict and vigilant on the issue of illegal migration, but this has not translated into real administrative action. He warned that strong speeches alone do not solve problems, and instead may mislead the people.
Gohain also spoke about Assam’s shared cultural and religious heritage. He said Assam has a long history of social and cultural exchange between communities. As examples, he referred to Sufi saints, Vaishnavite leaders and other historical figures who helped shape Assamese society.
He said the Chief Minister lacked awareness of this heritage, mentioning religious figures such as Azan Pir and Chandsai. He also recalled that the Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva had a Muslim disciple named Sangkhai, which, according to him, reflected the inclusive nature of Assamese society.
Gohain also said that in many Assamese Muslim families, it is common to have a Hindu pet name at home, which again shows social closeness rather than division. Citing another example, he said that in Sivasagar’s Sivadol temple, the first prayer was traditionally performed from a Muslim household as a gesture of unity.
“These traditions show how closely Assamese Hindus and Muslims have lived together,” he said.
Gohain also expressed concern that the remarks of the Chief Minister may create mistrust among communities in the state. He urged the people of Assam not to fall for divisive statements and instead remember the state’s shared history and social unity.
He said if the Chief Minister truly cared about the future of Assam, the focus should have been on improving education, skill development and livelihood opportunities rather than sending out repeated warnings about outsiders.
“Why has he failed to produce skilled workers like electricians or masons from within the Assamese community itself?” Gohain asked.
