New Delhi (TIP)- Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, June 23, – a day after former US president Barack Obama commented on the protection of Muslims in India – stirred a controversy by claiming that there are many “Hussain Obamas” in the country and the state police will act according to its priorities. The Opposition was quick to hit back at the Assam chief minister.
Sarma’s tweet was in response to a journalist’s post on Obama’s interview to CNN on Thursday, in which he said that if US President Joe Biden met Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is “something worth mentioning.”
“Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on it’s way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?” the journalist tweeted. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country.
The Assam Police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year.
In response, Sarma wrote, “There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities.”
The Assam chief minister’s comment comes hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a joint White House press conference with President Biden, claimed that “there is no discrimination in India” on the grounds of caste or religion because his government follows the Constitution, which is formed on the basic values of democracy.
The Assam chief minister’s comment comes hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a joint White House press conference with President Biden, claimed that “there is no discrimination in India” on the grounds of caste or religion because his government follows the Constitution, which is formed on the basic values of democracy.
Congress spokesperson and social media head Supriya Shrinate tweeted, “‘My friend Barack’ is now Hussain Obama! Actually Himanta has answered what PM Modi was asked at White House. His insinuation – about President Obama being a muslim and Indian Muslims need to be taught a lesson – was the question’s premise. What is the PM, MEA and Govt of India’s stand on this?”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also reacted to Sarma’s tweet. “From Barack to Hussain. A sitting BJP CM proving Barack Obama’s comments were not misplaced,” she tweeted.