Assam CM’s ‘Hussain Obama’ remark undermines Modi’s US speech, says Opposition

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remark that there are many “Hussain Obamas” in the country and that the authorities should “prioritise taking care of” them undermines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion in the United States that there is no religious discrimination in India, Opposition leaders said on Friday.

Sarma made the comment in response to a journalist who asked if a first information report has been filed in Guwahati against former United States President Barack Obama after he said that India risks “pulling apart” if the government does not protect the rights of its ethnic minorities.

“Is Assam police on it’s way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?” the journalist asked on Twitter, referring to the cases lodged in Assam against Opposition leaders over the remarks made in different parts of India.

Sarma said that the Assam Police will act according to its own priorities.

There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities. https://t.co/flGy2VY1eC— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 23, 2023

Opposition leaders said that Sarma’s “Hussain Obama” comment was “distasteful”.

He should apologise so that the world believes the prime minister comments that there is no...

Read more