Amid a spate of shocking incidents where severed cow heads and meat pieces have been found dumped outside Hindu temples in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a fiery and controversial response. Addressing the media, he said, “If they throw beef, throw pork in retaliation, it will be balanced.”
The statement came in reaction to the Congress party’s allegations that the BJP or RSS were behind these provocative acts. Dismissing the claim, Sarma argued that if Hindus were responsible, they would not desecrate their own temples with beef. “If Hindus had done it, they would’ve thrown pork, not beef. If Congress is claiming a cow’s head was left by Hindus, then are they also saying we ate the rest of the meat?” he said sarcastically.
Pattern of deliberate provocation
The remarks follow a series of disturbing events reported across Assam during the week of Bakrid (Eid al-Adha):
Dhubri (June 13, 2025): A severed cow head was discovered outside a Hanuman temple in the Muslim-majority area of Dhubri the day after Bakrid. Outrage erupted among local Hindus, prompting swift police action. CM Sarma revealed that an extremist outfit named Nabin Bangla, which allegedly wants to annexe the Dhubri district to Bangladesh, was behind the desecration. The group also resorted to stone pelting and pasted posters in the area.
Sarma stated, “There is a communal group active in Dhubri. We have issued shoot-at-sight orders to police to prevent such acts of provocation.” At least 38 individuals were arrested in connection with the incident.
Badarpur, Karimganj (June 17, 2025): In a predominantly Hindu locality, a group of Muslim men reportedly slaughtered a cow near a Shiv temple during Bakrid, sparking communal tension. Only three Muslim families reside in the area, yet one of them carried out the slaughter, leading to the arrest of five people.
Lakhipur, Goalpara District: Communal unrest also surfaced in Lakhipur after the severed head of a cow was dumped near a Kali Mandir. Police reached the scene promptly and removed the remains to avoid further escalation. Chief Minister Sarma confirmed the arrest of five accused individuals, including Hazrat Ali, Bodir Ali, Tara Mia, Shajamal Mia, and Jahangir Alom.
Lakhimpur (June 18, 2025): Assam Police arrested seven Muslim men after three cattle skulls were found just 30 meters away from a Namghar (Assamese prayer hall) in Siring Chuk. The accused—Monsur Ali, Md. Rejjak Ali, Saha Ali, Diluar Hussain, Dildar Hussain, Abu Kalam Ali, and Jahidul Islam were arrested following a swift investigation. Additional skulls were recovered from the home of one of the accused.
CM Sarma took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the arrests and praised Lakhimpur Police for their quick response. “Investigation is ongoing, including technical analysis,” he added.
Political blame game and communal sensitivity
The incidents have triggered a heated political exchange. Congress leaders accused the ruling BJP of orchestrating such acts for polarisation ahead of local elections. CM Sarma, in turn, accused Congress of deflecting and emboldening anti-Hindu elements by not calling out the real perpetrators.
While the Chief Minister’s blunt language, especially his remark about retaliatory pork, has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and sections of civil society, many locals and Hindu organisations have rallied behind his zero-tolerance stance.
Law and order measures intensified
With Assam witnessing repeated instances of targeted provocation around Hindu religious sites, the state government has tightened security around all major temples and issued clear directives to law enforcement to act firmly against any communal provocation.
“Desecration of Hindu temples and cultural spaces will not be tolerated under this government,” CM Sarma reiterated.
