By Ali Fauz Hassan

Guwahati, Oct 31: Irked by Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed’s ‘lungi’ remark, Assam finance and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today warned the former of being sent to jail if he doesn’t apologize in public.

While addressing reporters at Janata Bhawan here on new Covid- 19 SOPs for air travelers, Sarma lambasted the opposition Congress party for its alleged ‘erosion’ of values.

According to Sarma, Ahmed’s comment about keeping ‘blue lungi’ in the proposed Miya Museum at Sankardeva Kalakshetra has hurt the sentiments of Assamese Muslims in the state.

Ahmed’s ‘lungi’ remark, Sarma’s response

Earlier, the Congress leader had said blue ‘lungi’ and green ‘sari’ were symbolic of the ‘Miya’—a reference made to the immigrants from Bangladesh. Ahmed said these items should be kept in a museum dedicated to the Miyas on the Kalakshetra premises.

“We are a sensitive race, when Xankardev and Madhabdev are concerned. Sherman Ali Ahmed is making these comments for political gain. How can he even think of keeping blue lungi at Kalakshetra, where Xatradhikars (Xatra or Vaishnav monastery in- charge) come regularly?”Sarma asked.

“Instead he should have said fishing implements or boats, which are traditionally associated with people in Char- chaporis (sandbars), should be kept there. He will suffer for his comments. Let the next government come, he will be thrown in jail and will not be able to come out. He will be in jail if he does not apologize publicly”, Sarma warned the Congress leader.

‘BJP not against Islam’

Referring to the illegal migrants from the neighbouring Bangladesh, Sarma said the Assamese muslim community of the state was suffering due to such invasion by people whose names are doubtful to appear in the NRC.

 “The BJP is not against Islam. We respect the Islamic culture of the Assamese muslims as those from Sivasagar had fought alongside the Ahoms against the Mughals. We also respect the Sufi culture propagated by Azan Peer. It is more than a hundred year old”, Sarma claimed.

Sarma attacks Ripun Bora

The finance minister also took a potshot at Assam Congress president Ripun Bora for alleging that the BJP has not implemented budget promises.

“Ripun Bora is not aware of the reality as he is not rooted to the ground. We are implementing all poll promises. We have established 20 out of the 27 treasuries we promised to set up. The Congress is busy with Ajmal (AIUDF supremo Badruddin  Ajmal), ‘dhotis’ and ‘lungis’. Bora has also criticized the Arunudoi scheme. He should not take curses from 20 lakh poor people towards whom the scheme is targeted. He might have an accident”, the minister said.

Tea gardens to have 104 new high schools

After attacking Congress, Sarma also announced the state government’s decision to establish 104 high schools in tea gardens of the state from tomorrow. The minister informed that he along with CM Sarbananda Sonowal will lay the foundation for 104 out of the proposed 119 high schools in the tea estates till Monday.

No tests for travelers coming to state

Sarma also announced new SOPs for travelers visiting or leaving the state.  Now, any air traveler can get tested (RT-PCR) for Covid- 19 at their point of origin 72 hours before coming to Assam. Travelers will not be tested on arrival here or quarantined. The same also applies for train passengers.

Similarly, any passenger from Assam travelling out of the state and coming back within 24 hours does not have to get tested for Covid- 19. There will also be no Covid test for foreign diplomats, Centre government officers travelling for ‘covert’ operations in the state and those from organizations like UNICEF.