Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday responded strongly to criticism over his remarks on “Miyans”, asking his detractors to read a Supreme Court judgment that warned about what it described as a “silent and invidious demographic invasion” of the state.

In a post on X, Sarma said those attacking him for his comments should look at what the country’s top court had observed while striking down the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983, in 2005. Quoting the judgment, he said the court had warned that illegal migration could threaten Assam’s demographic balance, territorial integrity and national unity.

“This is not my language, not my imagination, and not political exaggeration,” Sarma said, adding that the Supreme Court itself had acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. He stressed that recognising this reality was neither communal nor hateful but a reflection of a long-standing problem faced by Assam.

What triggered the controversy?

The chief minister’s remarks came amid the ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in Assam. Sarma had earlier claimed that “Miyas”, (a term often used in the state to refer to illegal Bangladeshi Muslim migrants) were facing difficulties during the process as they should not be allowed to vote in Assam. He also said that no Assamese, Hindu or Muslim was facing any issues during the exercise.

Opposition parties sharply criticised the comments, accusing the government of targeting minorities and harassing genuine citizens. Sarma, however, defended the revision process, saying it was necessary to protect Assam’s identity, security and future.

He also claimed that during the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR), around four to five lakh votes of illegal migrants could be removed from the rolls.

What is the Election Commission’s stand?

The Election Commission ordered the Special Revision as a Supreme Court-supervised exercise to ensure an error-free electoral roll and verify citizenship. The Integrated Draft Roll was published on December 27, claims and objections were accepted till January 22, and the final electoral roll is scheduled to be released on February 10.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders continue to allege that the process is being misused to intimidate genuine voters, especially minorities, through complaints and verification notices.