GUWAHATI: The Assam assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Friday, March 21 with BJP MLA from Mariani Rupjyoti Kurmi allegedly hurling abuses and charging at an Opposition legislator triggering demand for his ban.
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The Opposition demanded that Kurmi be barred from the Assembly for a year after his action during a heated debate.
The uproar began during discussions on the Public Works Department (PWD) when Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi and Baghbar MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed raised concerns over the deteriorating road conditions in Upper Assam. Kurmi, angered by their statements, allegedly used offensive language against Gogoi. When Ahmed objected, the Mariani MLA escalated the situation further, directing verbal abuse at the entire opposition bench.
Tensions peaked as Kurmi left his seat and aggressively moved toward Gogoi and Ahmed. Marshals had to intervene to prevent a possible altercation, while Deputy Speaker Numol Momin repeatedly urged Kurmi to restrain himself. Although he eventually returned to his seat and apologised, opposition leaders remain dissatisfied, calling for strict action against him.
Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia calling it a dark day for Assam’s democracy said, “In my 30 years in the Assembly, I have never seen an opposition MLA being threatened inside the House. Kurmi not only used abusive language but also attempted to physically attack us just because we spoke the truth about the government’s failure in maintaining roads."
Saikia also added that roads in Jorhat’s Kajidalang and surrounding areas have been in poor condition for over a decade, yet no action has been taken. “Instead of addressing our concerns, they are trying to silence us with aggression,” he added.
Baghbar MLA Sherman Ali also said, "Our House should set an example for democratic debates, not be reduced to scenes of intimidation. Kurmi’s use of words like ‘stupid’ and his threatening behaviour are unacceptable. Given the severity of his actions, he must be barred from the Assembly for an entire year," he asserted.
Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi labelled the incident as a clear display of the ruling party’s "fascist attitude."
“We never imagined that an MLA from the ruling party would threaten the Leader of the Opposition, call him a ‘monkey,’ and shout ‘I will break your mic’ inside the assembly. This is a black day for democracy," Gogoi said. He urged the chief minister to take strict action against Kurmi, warning that such behaviour should not be normalized.
Concerns Over Assembly Discipline
Raising concerns about the lack of firm action, Assam MLA Manoranjan Talukdar said such incidents have been witnessed in other state assemblies, but this was a first for Assam.
“The Deputy Speaker should have taken stricter action instead of merely issuing a warning. By letting this slide, we are setting a dangerous precedent. Rupjyoti Kurmi should have been suspended from the upcoming assembly sessions,” Talukdar said.
