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Assam

Assam CM Hits Back at Pawan Khera Over Bangladeshi Cleric Allegations

The Chief Minister also defended his visits to religious shrines in India and Bangladesh, stating that he has publicly shared photographs of such visits and that he has nothing against Sufism

  • DY365

DY365

Assam CM Hits Back at Pawan Khera Over Bangladeshi Cleric Allegations

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday strongly rebutted allegations made by Congress leader Pawan Khera regarding his alleged association with Bangladeshi cleric Dewan Muhammad Saidur Rahman Chishti Saidabadi, calling the accusations politically motivated and accusing the Congress of presenting only “half the story.”

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Responding to the controversy triggered after Congress leaders shared photographs and made claims about his past interactions with the cleric, Sarma said such meetings were common during his tenure in the Congress party and questioned why similar interactions by Congress leaders were being ignored.

“When I was in Congress, I had a whole lot of photographs with 'Maulanas'. It was the practice while I was in the party and also we had clicked pictures with them. What is the issue in that?” Sarma said.

He further alleged that former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had also met the cleric and questioned Congress leaders for selectively targeting him.

“Can Pawan Khera post the photograph of Tarun Gogoi with Dewan Muhammad Saidur Rahman Chishti Saidabadi? The Congress leaders always tell the people the half of the story. Can they deny this?” he asked.

The Chief Minister also referred to Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, stating that the latter had also visited the cleric in Guwahati.

He accused Congress leaders of hypocrisy over sharing old photographs, recalling that his own images with religious figures were circulated earlier by Congress supporters.

“When I was in Congress party, my photographs with the 'Maulanas' have been shared on social media by many Congress people. What is new in that?” Sarma said.

Sarma also asserted that he has never deleted his old social media posts, despite attempts by political opponents to target him using his past statements and images.

“I have 100s of photographs with 'Maulanas' and if Pawan Khera needs them, I can supply those photos. I am the only politician who has not deleted my old posts. Despite the fact that Congress leaders try to drag and dig me through my old posts, I have kept all my old posts intentionally for the people of Assam so that they can judge me through it like how I was as a person. What is there to hide?” he said.

The Chief Minister also defended his visits to religious shrines in India and Bangladesh, stating that he has publicly shared photographs of such visits and that he has nothing against Sufism.

“I have visited Bangladesh and had posted photos during that time. I went to Shah Jalal Dargah in Bangladesh, I went to Ajmer Dargah and posted photograph, I went to the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah and posted photograph there. Even today, I have nothing against the Sufism. I had went to Ajan Pir Dargah. What is wrong in that?” he said.

He further questioned whether Congress was trying to suggest that BJP leaders should not interact with Muslim religious scholars or intellectuals.

“Does Congress want to say that BJP should not have any relation with Muslim intellectuals? What Pawan Khera wants to indicate here?” Sarma asked.

Congress Allegations

The controversy erupted after All India Congress Committee (AICC) Media and Communications Department Chairman Pawan Khera launched a sharp attack on Sarma over his alleged meeting with Bangladeshi cleric Dewan Muhammad Saidur Rahman Chishti Saidabadi.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, Khera claimed that Sarma was a “devotee” of the cleric and had sought spiritual advice from him in 2015, at a time when he had resigned from the Congress and was uncertain about joining the BJP.

“It turns out that @himantabiswa is the devotee of Dewan Muhammad Saidur Rahman Chisti Saidabadi. Having already resigned from the Congress Party then, he was uncertain about joining the BJP. He met with Dewan Sahab in 2015, shared his various problems and sought ‘dua’—prayers,” Khera wrote.

Khera further claimed that the cleric advised Sarma to join the BJP and that Sarma followed this advice.

“Dewan Sahab listened to him and advised him to join the BJP. Himanta accepted this advice of a Bangladeshi Muslim Pir, abided by it with faith, went on to join the BJP in August 2015, and the rest is history now,” he stated.

Listing what he described as “clear conclusions,” Khera said:

“When he needed advice, Himanta chose to go to a Muslim Pir instead of a Hindu Sadhu/Jyotishi.”
“Himanta does not hate Bangladesh or Bangladeshi Muslims as much as he claims.”
“Himanta’s entry into the BJP happened by the advice of a Bangladeshi Muslim Pir.”

Khera also raised a series of questions regarding Sarma’s alleged interaction with the cleric and its political implications.

“Did Himanta meet Dewan Muhammad Saidur Rahman Chishti in Bangladesh? If yes, why did he not proactively disclose the visit?” he asked.
“Why has he never clarified the role this interaction played in his political decisions and rise to power?”
“How can the public be assured that he does not continue to receive advice or directions from across the border?”

Raising more serious concerns, Khera alleged potential foreign influence and questioned whether Sarma posed a national security risk.

“Is it possible that he may have played into the hands of Bangladeshi or Pakistani agencies?” he asked.
“Since he is susceptible to foreign manipulation, is he not a threat to India’s national security?”

Background

It is to be noted that the issue gained traction after Congress leaders shared a photograph of Himanta Biswa Sarma with the Bangladeshi cleric, triggering political controversy ahead of upcoming political developments in Assam. Sarma, who joined the BJP in August 2015 after quitting the Congress, has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and accused the Congress of distorting facts and selectively presenting narratives.

Also Read: Supreme Court Order on Evictions in Assam Historic: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Himanta Biswa Sarma Gaurav Gogoi
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