Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for what he termed a blatant display of cultural insensitivity, centered around the mishandling of the iconic Assamese gamocha. The patka, deeply embedded in the region’s traditions as a mark of respect and identity, was allegedly not accorded due reverence in widely circulated social media videos.
From a government program in Digboi, Tinsukia, Sarma told journalists this was predictable. ‘Rahul has a history of such lapses towards Assam and the Northeast,’ he asserted, declining to engage further. Yet, his message was unequivocal: political outreach must be paired with cultural awareness.
Eschewing legal measures, the CM emphasized voluntary respect. ‘Traditions aren’t upheld by police or courts; they’re safeguarded by individual conscience,’ he noted. This philosophical take aims to elevate the discourse beyond partisan squabbles.
The ruling BJP has seized the moment to attack Congress, accusing Gandhi of chronic disregard for local ethos. Supporters see it as validation of their cultural preservation agenda. Congress countered sharply, terming the backlash a desperate ploy to mask administrative shortcomings ahead of elections.
With polls looming, this spat intensifies the BJP-Congress rivalry, thrusting cultural respect into the spotlight. Sarma’s admonition – ‘Don’t chase votes without honoring our ways’ – strikes at the heart of Northeast aspirations. It underscores a persistent challenge: bridging national ambitions with regional sensitivities in India’s diverse federal structure.