Justice Govind Mathur Condemns Assam CM’s Remarks on Miya Muslims, Calls Them Unconstitutional
Former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice says communal rhetoric by constitutional authorities threatens India’s democratic and constitutional values.
New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice (Retd) Govind Mathur, has strongly criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his recent remarks targeting the Miya Muslim community, calling them unconstitutional, divisive and unacceptable in a democratic country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Justice Mathur described the Chief Minister’s comments — in which Sarma allegedly said Miya Muslims should be “troubled” so that they leave Assam — as highly condemnable and deeply disturbing. He expressed concern that such statements were coming repeatedly from a person holding a constitutional office.
Justice Mathur said the remarks violate the basic principles of the Indian Constitution and amount to an attempt to divide citizens on religious grounds. He referred to key constitutional protections, including Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law, Article 15, which prohibits discrimination based on religion, and Article 21, which safeguards the dignity and life of every individual.
“As a Chief Minister, Mr Sarma has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution. His words carry the authority of the state,” Justice Mathur said, adding that statements promoting fear, exclusion or hatred weaken constitutional morality and damage the foundations of the Indian Republic.
He further warned that communal remarks by public officials normalise prejudice and encourage social hatred. According to him, leaders who seek to divide citizens along religious lines act against India’s pluralistic traditions and their federal responsibilities.
Questioning the suitability of a constitutional authority who departs from principles of impartiality and equality, Justice Mathur said India’s strength lies in unity, reason and the rule of law, not in communal polarisation. He emphasised that spreading communal hatred is a punishable offence under Indian law.
Justice Mathur also stated that it was time to demand accountability and called for the resignation of a “Chief Minister who spreads communal hatred, which is a crime under our law.”
His statement comes amid growing criticism of the Assam government’s Special Revision and proposed Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. During discussions on the exercise, Chief Minister Sarma reportedly spoke about targeting Miya Muslims — a term commonly used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam — and removing their names from voter lists.
Opposition parties and civil rights organisations have accused the Assam government of encouraging discrimination and harassment against a particular community under the guise of electoral reforms.
