In a significant development, the Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his controversial ‘Akbar’ remark during a Chhattisgarh poll campaign. The notice alleges that certain parts of Sarma’s speech, delivered on October 18, are “prima facie violative” of provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The show-cause notice requires Chief Minister Sarma to provide a response by 5 pm on October 30. The controversy arose when the Congress party filed a complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Sarma of making communally charged statements and unsubstantiated allegations against their Kawardha candidate, Mohammed Akbar.
During the election campaign, Sarma was quoted as saying, “If one Akbar comes to one place, don’t forget that they call a hundred Akbars. Therefore, bid farewell to Akbar as soon as possible, otherwise this land of Mother Kaushalya will be defiled.” This comment made reference to the mythological significance of Kaushalya, the mother of Lord Ram, believed to originate from what is now Chhattisgarh.
Sarma further urged the people to support the BJP candidate from Kawardha, stating, “So that’s why brothers and sisters, you people have to save Chhattisgarh. This sacred land of Maa Kaushalya has to be saved, and hence all of you should make Vijay Bhaiya victorious.”
Another part of Sarma’s speech raised eyebrows, where he mentioned, “Today, Love Jihad started in our country during the Congress rule. Today, the tribals of Chhattisgarh and our tribals like Assam are encouraged to convert to Islam every day, and when voices are raised against them, Mukesh Baghel ji says that we are secular. Is it beating Hindus your form of secularism? This is a country of Hindus and will remain of Hindus. Don’t teach us this language of secularism.”
In issuing the notice, the Election Commission cited a provision in the poll code that states, “no party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.”
These developments come as Chhattisgarh gears up for assembly elections to its 90-member assembly, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. The controversy and subsequent show-cause notice have heightened political tensions in the state and will be closely monitored as the election date approaches.
Sources By Agencies
