“Existence Before Power”: Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Nationalist Call Ahead of Assam’s Decisive Election

At the BJP Assam State Executive Meeting that concluded on Saturday, Himanta Biswa Sarma set the tone for the coming Assam Assembly elections, framing them not merely as a contest for power but as a national and civilisational responsibility.

Addressing party workers and senior leaders, the Chief Minister argued that while development remains the BJP government’s core mission, the preservation of identity, culture, and national security is equally vital.

His message was unambiguous: prosperity has meaning only when a people’s existence and values are secure.

Development With Identity at the Core

Sarma highlighted the state government’s welfare schemes and infrastructure push, but stressed that governance cannot be reduced to economics alone.

Assam, he said, stands at a crossroads where two worldviews confront each other — one rooted in a 5,000-year-old Sanatan civilisation, inclusive and accommodative in spirit, and another that has grown due to decades of political weakness and appeasement.

“Our civilisation embraces all forms of worship and coexistence,” he said, underscoring that inclusiveness has always been India’s strength.

Yet, he warned that demographic and political shifts over the years have created challenges that can no longer be ignored.

Demography, Borders, and National Security

Referring to census data, Sarma flagged what he described as unchecked demographic changes in Assam, linking them to migration from across the border.

He warned that if current trends continue, the cultural and political balance of the state could be fundamentally altered in the coming decades.

Invoking India’s sensitive geography, Sarma spoke about the strategic Siliguri Corridor, often called the “Chicken Neck,” that connects the Northeast to the rest of the country.

Raising questions of loyalty in the event of regional conflict, he argued that national security cannot be separated from demographic realities, especially in border states.

“These are uncomfortable questions,” he said, “but a responsible society does not shy away from them.”

Lessons From the Neighbourhood

Sarma also referred to recent unrest and violence in Bangladesh, including attacks on Hindu minorities, as a stark reminder of what happens when religious exclusivism replaces pluralism.

Such developments, he said, serve as a warning of the future if civilisational confidence and national unity are allowed to erode.

Analysts and like-minded citizens interpret Sarma’s remarks as a larger nationalist appeal, arguing that this sense of vigilance and emotional attachment to the nation is essential to safeguard India’s unity — particularly in frontier regions like Assam.

Unity Above All

Calling for an end to internal divisions, Sarma appealed for harmony among indigenous communities and settled populations alike.

Referring indirectly to recent tensions in Karbi Anglong, he urged people not to be distracted by internal fault lines.

“For us, every election is a fight to keep our jati alive,” he said, adding that as long as the present generation lives, the responsibility to protect civilisation, culture,e and country remains paramount.

Supporters say this message reflects a broader belief gaining ground across India — that nationalism rooted in culture, inclusiveness, and alertness is not exclusionary, but protective, and that such consciousness is vital to keep the nation safe in an increasingly volatile region.

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