Tejashwi Yadav Calls Himanta Sarma 'Chinese Version Of Yogi', BJP Slams RJD’s ‘Racist Mentality’

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday hit out at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who dubbed Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the “Chinese version of Yogi”, saying that such remarks reflect the ‘racist mentality’ of INDIA bloc leaders.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla while drawing parallels between Yadav’s comments with that of remarks made by India Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda, accused the INDIA bloc of harboring a racist mentality, suggesting that Pitroda’s influence has permeated Yadav’s mindset.

“Tejashwi Yadav labels Assam CM @himantabiswa as a “Chinese” because he is an Assamese and from the North-East! This reflects racist mentality of the INDI Alliance & it seems Sam Pitroda has taken over mindspace of Tejaswi when he makes such racist comments. Does Rahul Gandhi, Gaurav Gogoi endorse this as “Muhabbat ki Dukaan”. Will they end ties with RJD for such unconstitutional, anti Bharat Jodo, racist and hateful comments?” he said in a post on X.

The remarks came a day after RJD leader dubbed the Assam CM as “Chinese version of Yogi” on scrapping the Namaz break in Assam assembly. Yadav accused him of seeking “cheap popularity” and alleged that the BJP aims to harass Muslims in various ways.

“In an attempt to gain cheap popularity and become the “Chinese version of Yogi”, the Chief Minister of Assam deliberately keeps doing acts that harass Muslims. The people of BJP have made Muslim brothers a soft target to spread hatred, attract the attention of Modi-Shah and polarize the society. People of all religions, except RSS, have a hand in the independence of the country. Our Muslim brothers have made sacrifices in getting the country freedom and as long as we are here, no one can harm them,” he had said on X.

The controversy erupted after the Assam government on Friday decided to abolish the two-hour break provided on Fridays to facilitate Muslim legislators to offer ‘namaz’. The rule will be implemented from the next session, the state’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.

In a post on X, Sarma said, “with the 2-hour Jumma break, @AssamAssembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage. This practice was introduced by Muslim League’s Syed Saadulla in 1937.” “My gratitude to Hon’ble Speaker Shri @BiswajitDaimar5 dangoriya and our legislators for this historical decision,” he said.

For the last time, this break was provided on Friday, the final day of the autumn session of the assembly.

A statement from the Speaker’s office said the House used to resume proceedings after lunch on Fridays, after the Muslim members came back from ‘namaz’.