Guwahati 05 March (HS): Disruptions marked the Assam Assembly on Wednesday when a heated exchange erupted between the ruling BJP and the opposition. The dispute, sparked by the use of two contentious terms, led to a brief adjournment of the House.

During Question Hour, suspended Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed raised concerns about the sub-divisional agricultural office in Barpeta’s Alopati. In his remarks, he likened misleading replies from officials to a certain term, which was promptly expunged by Speaker Biswajit Daimary after BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi objected.

Once Question Hour ended, Kurmi revisited the issue and questioned whether Ahmed’s remark stemmed from his community identity. While doing so, Kurmi used a derogatory term for Bengali-speaking Muslims, triggering a sharp reaction.

Outraged opposition MLAs from Congress, AIUDF, CPI(M) and Raijor Dal pressed for an apology, prompting Daimary to expunge the remark. Despite this, tensions persisted, forcing a 15-minute adjournment.

When the session resumed, Ahmed reiterated his demand for an apology, condemning the term as racist. Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia echoed this, questioning how such language could be tolerated in the Assembly.

With protests continuing, Deputy Speaker Numal Momin intervened, ordering all references to the contentious words to be removed from records, finally restoring order in the House.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash