GUWAHATI: The Opposition in Assam assembly has demanded an official resolution condemning remarks of BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi describing Dhubri as a “mini Bangladesh” while speaking in Parliament recently.
ALSO READ: Assam Tables Bill In Assembly To Regulate Coaching Institutes
Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Debabrata Saikia said Trivedi has insulted Assam. “He has insulted the entire state of Assam. Dhubri is a land of many freedom fighters and luminaries. Our Assembly must formally denounce this statement and bring the matter to Parliament’s attention,” Saikia asserted.
In the Rajya Sabha Trivedi’s remarks came as he claimed that the Congress refuses to accept the National Register of Citizens (NRC) due to political considerations. Saikia refuted this claim, emphasising that the government has yet to notify the updated NRC. “He has made misleading statements. How can we tolerate such baseless rhetoric? The assembly must act against him,” Saikia added.
AIUDF legislator Rafiqul Islam also questioned the government’s stance on Dhubri while calling for the resolution. “Does the government consider Dhubri part of Assam? If so, the Assembly should adopt a resolution against Trivedi,” he stated.
Trivedi’s statement came while addressing concerns over voter duplication and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He remarked, “The opposition always speaks about voter duplication, but before that, they must clarify the issue of citizen duplication. Why don’t they agree to NRC? The issue will be resolved. When they claim doubts over voters, then why not NRC?”
He further linked the issue to the last Lok Sabha elections, where Congress leader Rakibul Hussain secured a massive victory from Dhubri, winning by over 10 lakh votes. “Our colleagues from Assam call Dhubri a mini-Bangladesh, and that is why NRC is not being conducted. But they will still raise concerns over voter duplication,” Trivedi added.
Meanwhile, according to reports, a formal complaint has been lodged against Trivedi at Golakganj police station in Dhubri district over his controversial remark. The complaint was filed by the Dhubri district committee of the Garia Maria Desi Jatiya Parishad, which condemned the statement as inflammatory and divisive.
Koch Rajbanshi leader Alokesh Roy has urged the people of Dhubri to protest if Trivedi does not issue a public apology. He criticised the MP for lacking historical and geographical awareness about the region.
Further fueling the controversy, Dhubri’s Congress MP Rakibul Hussain faced backlash for his silence, taking over 22 hours to respond to Trivedi’s statement. The local Congress unit has expressed frustration, demanding that Hussain take a stronger stand in defending the dignity of the district.
Critics argue that Dhubri, known for its communal harmony and cultural diversity, has been unfairly labelled. As tensions rise, the people of Dhubri await a response from Trivedi and a more assertive stance from local leaders to uphold the district’s historical identity.