Aminul Islam, a three-time legislator from Assam’s Dhing constituency and key figure of the opposition party, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), was arrested on Thursday after his controversial statements on the Pulwama and Pahalgam terror attacks.
The police arrested the candidate after a video surfaced in social media in which Islam said that the 2019 Pulwama terror bombing, in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed, and the recent killing of 26 tourist guides in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, were “government conspiracies” aimed to instigate communal tension.
The remarks were made in the course of a campaign for the panchayat elections, went viral and Assam Police registered a case against him for spreading misleading and inciting statements likely to cause public disturbance.
“Based on a false and provocative statement by Dhing MLA Sh Aminul Islam in public, which went viral and could have created a negative situation, the case of NagaonPS 347/25 was registered for offences under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. He has been arrested in accordance with this,” tweeted Assam Police.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma will not accept any Justification
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also confirmed the arrest of Islam on charges of sedition and treason. Sarma alleged that the MLA indirectly justified Pakistan and warned that Assam will not accept any justification for, or the normalization of terror violence, particularly linked to Pakistan.
“Assam will take the strongest possible action against anybody who dares to justify—either directly or indirectly—the atrocious Pakistan-backed terror attack at Pahalgam. Those who will try to justify, normalize or water down the cold-blooded killing of innocent civilians are not practicing freedom of expression but standing against the heart of India,” Sarma asserted.
Police authorities confirmed that Islam was arrested from his home in the district of Nagaon and will be brought before a court. The case, logged under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, will be taken to its “logical conclusion,” Sarma said.
AIUDF states it as a “Personal Opinion”
The leadership of the AIUDF quickly took steps to dampen the fallout. Party president Maulana Badruddin Ajmal criticized the remarks and disowned Islam’s comments, terming them his “personal opinion” and reaffirming that the party was standing with the government in the battle against terrorism.
“Aminul Islam’s comments have been regrettable. This is the time to unite with the government. Terrorists don’t have any religion. Terrorists are tarnishing the image of Islam. Aminul Islam’s statement is not ours,” said Ajmal.
Islam’s statement has sparked a huge controversy and the Assam government’s zero-tolerance policy is a firm step towards restoring communal harmony. As the AIUDF moved away from the government and the government promised strictest action, this case showcases the severity of the Pahalgam Terror attacks among every civilian in India.