During the Assam Panchayat elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a statement alleging that women in Assam, during the Congress regime, resorted to unfair means to secure government jobs. This statement drew b condemnation from the Assam Congress' women's wing.
New Delhi: Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently found himself embroiled in controversy following a controversial statement about women during the Assam Panchayat elections. This remark sparked outrage within the state's women's Congress. The Chief Minister claimed that women employed unfair means to obtain government jobs during the Congress' tenure. Following this statement, the Assam Congress' women's wing launched protests and demanded an apology from Sarma.
Attack on Women's Dignity: Protests Intensify
Mira Borthakur Goswami, President of the Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress, stated that the Chief Minister's remarks were insulting to women. She accused Sarma of disrespecting all women, from Anganwadi and ASHA workers to those holding higher government positions. Goswami declared, "We will not tolerate this insulting statement and our protests will continue until the Chief Minister apologizes."
Taking the matter seriously, Goswami wrote to the National Commission for Women (NCW) demanding action against Sarma. Furthermore, she announced that complaints would be filed with the women's commissions of all northeastern states, and a CBI inquiry into the matter would also be sought.
Threats to Burn Effigies of BJP Leaders
The Mahila Congress president also announced that protests would be held across the Northeast. She stated that effigies of BJP leaders would be burned and that women would unite above party lines. Goswami further added, "We will work towards bringing the women's wings of the Congress in all northeastern states onto a united platform to raise issues concerning women more effectively."
Questioning the Chief Minister's Statement
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma cited a witness statement in his comments, which, according to him, expressed concern about the methods women used to secure government jobs. However, Goswami questioned the witness's credibility, stating that the statement was presented superficially without proper contextualization of the information it contained. She alleged that Sarma selectively presented the matter and did not mention reports containing further revelations.
Support from Women Leaders in Other Northeastern States
Besides the Assam Mahila Congress, women Congress leaders from other northeastern states criticized Sarma's statement and demanded an apology. Tripura Mahila Congress president, Sarbani Chakraborty, stated that their protests would continue until Sarma apologized. She also demanded a CBI investigation and a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Mizoram Mahila Congress chief, Gogbinlianiani Diani, also condemned Sarma's statement, pointing out that he was part of the Congress government where the alleged irregularities occurred, and therefore, he had no right to evade scrutiny.
Nagaland Mahila Congress president, Akumla Pogem, launched a scathing attack on Sarma, saying, "A person with such a mindset towards women should not be allowed to hold a high office like the Chief Minister." The Mahila Congress presidents of Meghalaya and Manipur also voiced their support, stating that their protests would continue until the Chief Minister apologized.
Will the Matter Escalate Further?
The Mahila Congress' protests have created a significant opposition against CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam. This issue is not merely political; it concerns women's rights and could escalate to a national level. If the Chief Minister does not apologize, the matter could deepen, potentially sparking a wider movement against misogynistic statements across the country.
The Mahila Congress' fight will not be confined to Assam; efforts will be made to unite the Congress' women's wings across the northeastern states. The crucial question now is how and when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will resolve this controversy.
