Himanta Biswa Sarma
Chief Minister of Assam since 2021
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Himanta Biswa Sarma (born 1 February 1969) is an Indian politician and lawyer serving as the 15th and the current Chief Minister of Assam since 2021. A former member of the Indian National Congress, Sarma joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 23 August 2015 and soon was made convenor of NEDA.[1] He is a five time Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly from Jalukbari, having been elected since 2001.[2][3]
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Himanta Biswa Sarma | |
|---|---|
Sarma in 2025 | |
| 15th Chief Minister of Assam | |
| Assumed office 10 May 2021 | |
| Governor | |
| Departments | List
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| Preceded by | Sarbananda Sonowal |
| Cabinet Minister, Assam | |
| In office 24 May 2016 – 10 May 2021 | |
| Chief Minister | Sarbananda Sonowal |
| Departments |
|
| In office 21 May 2006 – 23 July 2014 | |
| Chief Minister | Tarun Gogoi |
| Departments |
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| Minister of State, Assam | |
| In office 11 September 2004 – 21 May 2006 | |
| Chief Minister | Tarun Gogoi |
| Departments |
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| In office 7 June 2002 – 6 July 2004 | |
| Chief Minister | Tarun Gogoi |
| Departments |
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| Member, Assam Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 19 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Self |
| In office 13 May 2001 – 15 September 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Bhrigu Phukan |
| Constituency | Jalukbari |
| Founder-Convener of the North-East Democratic Alliance | |
| Assumed office 24 May 2016 | |
| National Chairman | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 February 1969 |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (2015–present) |
Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress (1991–2015) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation |
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| Signature |  |
| Website | www |
Early life and education
Sarma was born on 1 February 1969 in Jorhat, Assam. The family, including six siblings, later shifted to Ulubari, Gandhibasti locality in Guwahati.[3][4] He belongs to an Assamese family which traces its origins to Latima in Nalbari district.[5][6] Sarma married Riniki Bhuyan Sarma in 2001, with whom he has a son, Nandil Biswa Sarma,[7] who attended The Doon School,[8] and a daughter, Sukanya Sarma, who attended Mayo College Girls School.[9][4]
Sarma was educated at Kamrup Academy School, Guwahati in 1985 and joined Cotton College, Guwahati (now known as Cotton University) for his undergraduate education.[10] He was elected the General Secretary of Cotton College Students Union, three times in 1988-89, 1989–90, and 1991-1992.[11] Sarma is the seventh chief minister of Assam from Cotton University.[12][13]
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1990 and Master of Arts in 1992, both in political science, from the university.[10] Thereafter, Sarma obtained a Bachelor of Laws from Government Law College, Guwahati, and became a solicitor in 1995. He practised law at the Gauhati High Court from 1996 to 2001. In 2006, he completed a Doctorate of Philosophy in political science from Gauhati University on the topic North Eastern Council: A structural and functional analysis, defending his dissertation shortly before he was elected to public office.[10][4][14]
Political career
Indian National Congress
Sarma was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from Jalukbari for the first time in 2001 when he defeated Asom Gana Parishad leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan. He was re-elected in 2006, then in 2011 for a third consecutive term with a 78,000 vote margin.[15][16] Sarma held important portfolios (both state and cabinet) as Minister of State for Agriculture, Planning and Development, Finance, Health, Education, and Assam Accord Implementation from 2002 to 2014.[15][17]
He was made Cabinet Minister for Health in 2006, and in 2011 he was also entrusted with the additional charge of Education.[9] During his tenure, three medical colleges in Jorhat, Barpeta and Tezpur were built.[18] He also initiated work for five more medical colleges in Diphu, Nagaon, Dhubri, North Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar, which are now in various startup stages.[19]
Bharatiya Janata Party
After political disagreements with the former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Sarma resigned from all positions on 21 July 2014. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Jalukbari constituency until his resignation from the Assembly on 15 September 2015.[4][20] Sarma joined Bharatiya Janata Party on 23 August 2015 at the residence of Amit Shah at New Delhi.[21] He was appointed the party's Convener of the Election Management Committee for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state.[22] In May 2016, Sarma won the Jalukbari constituency for the fourth consecutive term and was sworn in as Cabinet Minister on 24 May in Sonowal ministry, in the first BJP Government in North East India. He was allotted portfolios like Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Education, Planning & Development, Tourism, Pension & Public Grievances.[23]
Sports administrator
On 23 April 2017, Sarma was unanimously elected as President of Badminton Association of India. Sarma has been the president of the Assam Badminton Association. He also became the president of the Assam Cricket Association in June 2016 when his party man Pradip Buragohain became the secretary. Sarma was also the longest-serving vice-president of the association, serving from 2002 to 2016.[24][25]
On 25 March 2022, Sarma was re-elected as the president of Badminton Association of India for a second term of four years from 2022 to 2026 in general body meeting in Guwahati.[26][27]
Chief Minister of Assam
Appointment
On 8 May 2021, Sarma along with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were summoned to New Delhi, for discussions on the formation of a new government. Sarma and Sonowal held a series of meetings lasting more than 4 hours with BJP President J. P. Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah. On 9 May Sonowal tendered his resignation to Governor Jagdish Mukhi, ahead of a meeting the same day to decide the next Chief Minister.[28][29][30][31] Sarma's name was proposed by the outgoing Sonowal, BJP state president Ranjeet Kumar Dass and newly elected MLA Nandita Garlosa. As no other name was presented to be chief minister, Sarma was unanimously elected as the BJP legislature leader.[32]
On 10 May 2021, Sarma was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister of Assam by Governor Mukhi, succeeding Sonowal.[33][34][35][36] He was congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his appointment.[34]
Tenure
Sarma's tenure has been focused on exacerbating ethnic divisions in the state of Assam between Assamese and minority ethnic populations. In June 2021 he publicly urged the muslim community to adopt family planning measures, such that they reduce their rate of birth. He also advocated for a new law against illegal cattle smuggling in Assam.[37] Mission Basundhara was launched under Sarma in 2021; a program aimed to support local landowners expand property rights.[38] The Assam government, under his leadership, announced the conversion of 740 muslim schools, or madrasas, funded by the state to public schools.[39] His government has demolished many[quantify] Islamic madrasas in the state, alleging their association with terrorist groups and organisations.[40] He continues to push for the removal of muslim cultural and educational institutions, as well as forced removal of these populations from their existing landholdings in Assam. In 2025, 40,000 individuals were evicted from their dwellings. Reasons cited by Sarma and other officials included encroachment on government land, environmental degradation and development projects.[41]
Boundary dispute with Mizoram
On 26 July 2021, Assam Police and Mizoram Police (Mizoram is an adjacent state to Assam on its southern boundary) fired upon each other supposedly as part of the decades-old Assam-Mizoram border dispute. Assam lost six police personnel and a civilian in the firefight, while one youth from Mizoram suffered a gunshot wound. Both sides charged each other with opening fire first.
Reports from news media indicate that on 24 July 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Zoramthanga had a one-to-one talk about the boundary dispute where both agreed to settle the matter amicably through talks. Before this could take place, and only two days after the two Chief Ministers held their talks, this incident took place.[42]
Days after skirmish which left dozens of others injured, the Assam government on 29 July 2021 issued a travel advisory, asking people of the state not to travel to Mizoram - the first such travel advisory ever, by a state in the independent India.[43] Himanta retracted from this advisory a day later.[44] Further, Assam's Home and Political Department said on 29 July that the police should carry out an intensive drive against drugs and check all vehicles entering into Assam from Mizoram.[45]
Forced evictions of muslim population
Since 2021, Sarma has carried out BJP's directive of reducing muslim representation in Indian public life, including the forced eviction of thousands of Bengali speaking Muslims within his district.[41] In January 2026, referring to the minority Muslim population as Miyas, he claimed he will be evicting all of them, but not individuals of Assamese heritage.[46] In March 2026, he promised to carry out larger eviction drives if he receives positive election results in the April 2026 Assam assembly elections, the first since 2023.[47] He has frequently campaigned with marches that feature bulldozers, claiming to have evicted the Bengali minorities from over 50,000 acres of land in Assam.[48]
Electoral Performance
| Year | Constituency | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Opponent
Party |
Opponent
Votes |
% | Margin | Margin in
% |
Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Jalukbari | INC | 45,054 | 46.76% | Bhrigu Kumar Phukan | NCP | 35,035 | 36.36% | 10,019 | 10.40% | Won | ||
| 2006 | 76,948 | 63.47% | Puspa Deka | AGP | 34,480 | 28.44% | 42,468 | 35.03% | Won | ||||
| 2011 | 93,812 | 72.09% | Prodyut Bora | BJP | 16,409 | 12.61% | 77,403 | 59.48% | Won | ||||
| 2016 | BJP | 118,390 | 76.16% | Niren Deka | INC | 32,455 | 20.87% | 85,935 | 55.29% | Won | |||
| 2021 | 130,762 | 77.39% | Ramen Chandra Borthakur | 28,851 | 17.07% | 1,01,911 | 60.325 | Won | |||||
| 2026 | |||||||||||||
Controversies
Biswa has often been seen mired in controversies on two counts, one as regards his extremely hardline and inflammatory comments against the Muslim community and other as regards the allegations of corruption.[49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57] He currently leads all efforts in Assam to evict Bengali-speaking muslims in the district, at the direction of the BJP, demolishing over 22,000 structures between 2021 and 2026.[41] He has often made divergent claims publicly.
In 2011, Paresh Baruah led ULFA faction claimed that Sharma is a former member of the militant outfit.[58][59][60] In April 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that there is no need to wear masks in the state as there is no more coronavirus present in Assam when India was undergoing the second wave of COVID-19.[61] In June 2025, Sarma said that the terms socialism and secularism should be removed from the Constitution of India.[62][63]
Anti-Muslim remarks
In November 2020, Biswa posted on social media, claiming that supporters of AIUDF Chief and Dhubri MP, Badruddin Ajmal had shouted slogans in support of Pakistan to greet him, on his arrival at Silchar airport. Biswa's claim was reiterated by an Assamese news channel, News Live, which is owned by Biswa's wife, and then also confirmed by several news channels and newspapers, including Times Now, CNN News18, and The New Indian Express. Biswa's post was initially flagged by Facebook as misinformation but later this caution tag was removed and post was restored.[64] Facebook's spokesperson told The Indian Express that the tag was erroneously put on Sarma’s post.[65] Guwahati Police have since registered multiple First Information Reports,[66] opened a case and arrested a AIUDF member named Nasir Uddin.[67]
On 11 February 2022 while addressing a rally at Uttarakhand, Sarma said to Rahul Gandhi, "Did we ever ask you for proof of whether you are Rajiv Gandhi's son or not?"[68] His statements were criticised by then Chief Minister of Telangana, KCR for using derogatory language against a Member of Parliament and said these derogatory language should not be used by a chief minister of a state.[69] TPCC president Revanth Reddy filed a complain at Jubilee Hills police station of Hyderabad. A case has been registered under sections 504 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code against Himanta Biswa Sarma. Reddy said, "Himanta Biswa Sarma's remarks are humiliating for a woman" and asked "Why did the Chief Electoral Officer of the National Election Commission not order the arrest of Himanta Biswa Sarma?". "BJP should remove Himanta Biswa from the post of Chief Minister. But the BJP is supporting the remarks of the Assam Chief Minister."[70] On 19 September 2023, Uttarakhand High Court summoned Sarma for his remarks.[71]
Though Sarma was implicated in the Manabendra Sarma case he was acquitted by the court.[72][73][74] A Delhi-based advocate from Assam has lodged a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against the Assam Police "on an encounter spree" since Sarma stated in the police conference that police should shoot alleged criminals at legs which are permitted by the law.[75] The Supreme Court in its judgement on the appeal filed against the Gauhati High Court judgement which refused to order for independent inquiry ordered for inquiry and investigation of all the police encounters by the Assam Human Rights Commission.[76]
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States in June 2023, former President Barack Obama made comments about Muslims in India. In response, Sarma claimed with Islamophobic slur that there are many "Hussain Obama in India" (in reference to Obama's full name, Barack Hussein Obama II) and his priority will be in dealing with them.[77] This triggered extensive discussions in India and abroad.[78]
In July 2023, an Independent Rajya Sabha member, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan filed a police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of delivering a "hate speech" against the 'Miya' community (Bengali-Muslim Community) who often are targets of communal attacks. Sarma had commented on high vegetable prices, stating that Miya vendors charge more in Guwahati compared to Assamese vendors. He emphasised clearing footpaths and urged Assamese people to initiate businesses. The remarks sparked controversy and led to a formal complaint against the Chief Minister.[79][80][81]
On 19 September, while addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh, Sarma told Kamal Nath to burn 10, Janpath (residence of Sonia Gandhi) to prove his Hindu Identity.[82] Few days later, Leader of Opposition, Assam, Debabrata Saikia filed FIR on Sarma for hate speech.[83] The remarks triggered political reactions and public debate, with critics describing them as communal, while supporters said the comments were aimed at addressing demographic trends in the state.[84]
In a major judicial development, the Supreme Court of India asked petitioners, who approached it under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking action against Biswa for offences related to hate speech, to approach the Gauhati High Court. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi expressed reluctance to invoke Article 32, and said that the petitioners should first approach the jurisdictional High Courts.[85][86][87]
In December 2025, Sarma made remarks on population growth while addressing a public gathering in Barpeta district, stating that the birth rate among Hindus in Assam was declining compared to Muslims. He urged Hindu families not to limit themselves to one or two children and suggested that, where possible, they should have three children. He also stated that family sizes among Muslims should remain limited, citing demographic balance as a concern.[88][89]
In February 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party shared an AI-generated video of Sarma shooting with his rifle aimed towards an image of Muslim men titled "No Mercy", promoting it on their social media platforms. The video was later deleted after widespread outrage.[90]
Corruption allegations against wife
On 5 April 2026, in the midst of 2026 Assembly Elections, Congress Spokesman Pawan Kheda made allegations against Sarma and his wife, including that his wife held multiple passports, foreign properties, and a foreign company listed in the United States.[citation needed] Kheda alleged his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, held three passports additional to an Indian passport, including the United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda, and Egypt. Indian law does not permit dual citizenship, and as such, holding additional passports constituted a violation of Indian law. She was also accused of owning two properties in Dubai. The legality of this requires further investigation. It was also reported she held Rs. 52,000 crores worth of assets in a firm named, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma Asset Collective LLC, registered in the state of Wyoming.
Both Biswa Sarma and Riniki Bhuyan immediately reacted by rejecting these allegations through their respective social media posts, calling them “malicious, fabricated and politically motivated”, while talking of immediately initiating criminal and civil defamation proceedings against Kheda. While Sarma wrote on X, formerly Twitter- "He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements", Riniki said- "I will now be letting the law take over. Criminal charges are being initiated." [91][92][93][94][95][96][97]
This was followed by Himanta presenting a detailed point by point rebuttal of the charges and calling the documents AI generated and alleging the entire matter to have Pakistan connection, while his wife getting an FIR registered against Pawan Khera at Crime Branch of Panbazar Police Station in Guwahati, over his allegations against the couple. [98][99][100][101][102]
Pushback comments and diplomatic protest
On 15 April 2026, Biswa Sarma gave an interview to ABP News in which he discussed the issue of alleged undocumented migrants from Bangladesh. In the interview, he stated that formal deportation through the Ministry of External Affairs (India) was difficult and described informal “pushback” practices, claiming that individuals were taken to border areas at night and forced across without formal procedures. He also asserted that there was no extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, despite the existence of a bilateral extradition agreement signed in 2013.[103] His remarks raised concerns regarding legality, due process, and human rights, as well as their potential impact on bilateral relations.[104][105]
Following the interview, the government of Bangladesh lodged a formal protest. The acting Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and handed a note of protest. Bangladeshi officials rejected Sarma’s comments as derogatory and misleading, stating that such public remarks on sensitive bilateral issues were unhelpful and could undermine relations between the two countries. They emphasised that any unresolved matters should be addressed through established diplomatic channels and urged Indian political leaders to exercise restraint in future statements.[105]
A day after the diplomatic protest, officials in India distanced the government from his statements, describing them as “individual opinions.” New Delhi stated that Sarma’s views did not represent the position of the Government of India and should not be interpreted as such.[106][107]
Awards
In September 2023, the Singapore government awarded Himanta Biswa Sarma the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship for his distinguished contribution to public service.[108]
