'Those Who Do Not Know History...': Assam CM Sarma, LoP Retort To Kapil Sibal's Myanmar Remark

Assam CM Himanta Sarma while slamming Kapil Sibal remarked that people who do not know history should not speak about it.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and lawyer Kapil Sibal.

New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia strongly objected to lawyer Kapil Sibal's assertion in the Supreme Court that the northeastern state was formerly a part of Myanmar. CM Himanta Sarma on Friday while slamming Kapil Sibal remarked that people who do not know history should not speak about it while Saikia in a letter on Saturday asked Sibal to withdraw his statement.

“Assam was never part of Myanmar. It is true that people from there (Myanmar) had clashed with our people during Ahom rule. And for a brief period of around one-two months, we were under an occupation-like situation of Myanmar,” CM Sarma said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

“Those who do not have any knowledge about history, they should refrain from commenting,” he added.

Saikia said such a statement from a senior advocate is unfortunate and it has hurt the pride of the people of Assam.

“I would like to bring to your notice that you have put before the Supreme Court that Assam was part of Myanmar during a hearing on a petition challenging the validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act of 1955. You have been a distinguished senior advocate of the Supreme Court and a parliamentarian of outstanding calibre, this incorrect representation of Assam’s history is very unfortunate and it has hurt the pride and prestige of Assam,” Saikia wrote in his letter to Sibal.

The Leader of Opposition further claimed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and All Assam Minorities Students’ Union (AAMSU) might have provided the misinformation to Sibal and the latter failed to cross-check the data before presenting it in court.

“It seems the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and AAMSU might have provided you with incorrect information about Assam history and your team has failed to cross check the data before presentation,” Saikia wrote.

Saikia further urged Sibal to withdraw his statement and seek a public apology for misrepresenting Assam’s history. “In view of this, I request you to kindly withdraw the statement and render a public apology for misrepresentation of Assam’s glorious history,” Saikia wrote.

(With inputs from PTI)