GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show-cause notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, seeking an explanation for his controversial “Akbar” remark made during the Chhattisgarh poll campaign.
This move by the ECI comes in response to Sarma's recent comments targeting Chhattisgarh's only Muslim minister, Mohammad Akbar, during the assembly election campaign in Chhattisgarh last week.
Sarma, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been given a deadline to respond to the notice by 5 PM on October 30. The contentious remark was part of a speech delivered by Sarma in Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, on October 18. During his address, he stated, "the sacred land of Mata Kaushalya would be tainted if Akbar is not removed."
The Assam Chief Minister went on to add, "When one Akbar arrives in a particular location, he brings along a hundred Akbars. Therefore, it's crucial to remove him swiftly, or else the sanctity of Mata Kaushalya's land will be compromised."
The show-cause notice issued by the ECI to Sarma cites a provision in the election code, which strictly prohibits any political party or candidate from engaging in activities that could exacerbate existing divisions, foster mutual animosity or incite tension among various castes, communities, religious groups, or linguistic groups.
