These days a song has created a stir in Assam politics. The ruling BJP has launched a scathing attack on the Congress after the video of Bangladesh’s national anthem “Amar Sonar Bangla” being sung at a Congress meeting went viral. Calling it part of the “Greater Bangladesh Agenda”, the BJP has accused the Congress of indulging in vote bank politics. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called it an “insult to the people of India” and directed to register a police case over the incident. “This incident is in line with Bangladeshi statements that Northeast India will become a part of Bangladesh in the future. Such an act is an insult to the nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused the Congress of doing politics of “competitive appeasement” and said that the Congress and its allies are “supporting infiltrators under the guise of the Constitution”.
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However, Congress denied the allegations, saying that “Amar Sonar Bangla” is part of Bengali culture and singing it does not imply support for Bangladesh. Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi said, “This song was written by Rabindranath Tagore, who is a symbol of Indian culture and Bengali identity. BJP should understand the history of Bengali language and culture.”
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also said that “Amar Sonar Bangla” was written in 1905 in protest against the partition of Bengal and later in 1971, Bangladesh adopted its first 10 lines as its national anthem.
In politics, symbols and emotions often have more impact than words. This act of the Congress leader in Assam has given a big political weapon to the BJP, especially at a time when the politics of the state is based on the discourse of “national identity versus appeasement”.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has long been accusing the Congress and especially Gaurav Gogoi of “Pakistan love” and “supporting infiltrators”. Now that this “Bangladeshi national anthem controversy” related to the local unit of Congress has come to light, this allegation has become more powerful for the BJP. Gaurav Gogoi’s argument that songs are a part of Bengali culture may be intellectually correct, but from a political point of view it may prove to be a risky move. There are a limited number of voters of Bengali origin in Assam, while the majority Assamese public is sensitive about Bangladeshi infiltration. BJP is planning its election strategy on this emotional line and Congress seems to be falling into the same trap.
This incident is not just a controversy but a political crisis for Assam Congress. The BJP may promote this by saying that the Congress believes in “cultural appeasement more than Indian nationalism”. This perception could impact the Congress’ vote share in the upcoming assembly elections, especially in areas of Upper Assam and Barak Valley where the BJP’s nationalist message already resonates. This controversy can have an impact on Assam politics at three levels—At the cultural level, it will rekindle the debate of Assamese identity versus Bengali identity. At the political level, the BJP will try to turn this into a debate of “patriotism versus appeasement”. At the electoral level, the Congress vote bank may get divided, with Assamese voters moving away while Bengali voters are already uncomfortable with the BJP’s “tough policy”.
If we look at judicial influence and constitutional question, after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed to register a police case, this matter has become not only politically but also legally sensitive. Such activities may come under investigation under sections 124A (sedition) and 153A (disturbing communal harmony) of the Indian Penal Code.
If it is proved that the national anthem of Bangladesh was deliberately sung at a “political event”, then the possibility of it being considered an “insult to the national symbols” cannot be ruled out. But on the other hand, if it was merely a cultural presentation, then this matter could also come under freedom of expression. Thus, this episode may become a new precedent defining the judicial limits of “cultural expression versus patriotism” in Assam.
However, this controversy seems like a politically suicidal move for Assam Congress. At a time when the BJP has taken a strong hold across the North-East on the issue of “national identity”, the Congress needed to present its cultural messages more carefully. This situation is also challenging for Gaurav Gogoi as on one hand he has to save the respect of Bengali culture and on the other hand he has to show sensitivity towards Assamese identity. This controversy may cause political loss for Congress in the next assembly elections, as BJP will not delay in molding this development into the narrative of “patriotism versus divisive mentality”.