Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has delivered a powerful verbal salvo against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, questioning the latter's apparent double standards on religious issues. CM Sarma probed why Gogoi did not exhibit the same religious enthusiasm as shown during Eid celebrations at the time of the Ayodhya temple consecration. Notably, on January 21st—the day of the temple's Prana Pratishtha—Gaurav Gogoi was busy protesting in Nagaon with Rahul Gandhi, while on Eid, he was seen offering prayers.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Sarma said, 'Akhil Gogoi and Gaurav Gogoi offered prayers in Sivasagar. Gaurav seems well-versed in prayer rituals. It's unknown where he learned this. But here arises a question: Why hasn't the same devotion seen for Eid been demonstrated for the Ram Temple consecration? Rather than joining the consecration, he was seen fighting the administration alongside Rahul Gandhi on Assam's streets and breaking laws.'
Assamese Muslim issues won't be solved by appeasement: CM Sarma
Assam's CM commented, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our leaders greet people on Eid, which, along with Christmas and Puja festivities, are occasions we celebrate, and it's not our place to say who should celebrate and how. I have no issue with Eid, but the respect revered in Gaurav's heart for Eid should also be extended to the Ram Temple.' Sarma added that the issues of Assamese Muslims should be addressed not through 'politics of appeasement,' but by providing government jobs, quality education, and opposing child marriage.
'By Skipping Ram Temple Inauguration, Gaurav Committed a Grave Sin'
Sarma declared, 'Gaurav Gogoi committed a grave sin by choosing to support Rahul Gandhi in a protest in Nagaon over attending the Ram Temple inauguration. He's seen offering prayers on one side while protesting against the temple's opening on the other.' In response, Gogoi retorted saying on January 22nd he visited Batadrava station in Nagaon to protest Chief Minister's disrespect of Shankardev's principles.
We protested out of respect for Shankardev: Gogoi
Talking to ANI, Gogoi stated, 'We intended to visit Batadrava station in Nagaon on that day. Himanta Biswa Sarma insulted the station. Disrespecting Shankardev's principles was something we couldn't overlook since we hold Shankardev in high esteem.' It's important to note that the 'Batadrava Than' in Assam's Nagaon is a sacred pilgrimage site located at the birthplace of the late Assamese saint and social reformer, Shankardev, who established this Than in 1468 at the age of 19.
