The use of the pejorative term “Miya” for Muslims triggered an uproar in the Assam Assembly on Thursday, with the Opposition AIUDF demanding a breach of privilege motion against Health Minister Ashok Singhal. Speaker Biswajit Daimary was compelled to adjourn the House for 20 minutes amid the protest.
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam sought the breach of privilege motion at the end of the Question Hour. However, the Speaker rejected the request, stating that it did not meet the necessary requirements.
Islam argued that Singhal’s recent remarks in his constituency Dhekiajuli suggested that Bengali-speaking Muslims would be excluded from government scheme benefits. According to reports, in a video from the event, Singhal can purportedly be heard telling people not to allow “miyas” to set up shops there.
“The minister has made it publicly clear that he dislikes an entire community,” Islam said. “He should be dismissed as a minister, and if he is to continue, he must apologise for his remarks.”
While acknowledging the community’s sentiments, the Speaker maintained that the breach of privilege motion could not be accepted. When AIUDF members persisted with their protest, Daimary adjourned the proceedings for 20 minutes.
The BJP has recently defended such remarks, citing a Supreme Court verdict. In a recent ruling, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma stated that while terms like “Mian-Tiyan” or “Pakistani” may be inappropriate, they do not constitute an offence under existing laws. Such remarks, though in “poor taste,” do not amount to hurting religious sentiments, the judges said.
(With inputs from agencies)
