Those Who Drink Mother’s Milk Are Human: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma triggered a controversy with his remarks targeting Congress MP Rakibul Hussain over the latter’s reference to biryani. Addressing an election rally in Nagaon on Thursday, Sarma said, “Those who are born to drink mother’s milk are human beings, and those born to eat biryani are animals.” He was responding to Hussain’s recent sarcastic remark that God had sent him into the world to eat biryani.

The exchange comes ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election scheduled for October 6, as campaigning intensifies and the rhetoric between BJP and Congress leaders sharpens. Sarma had earlier referred to Hussain as ‘Bakasura’, a mythological figure associated with a large appetite, and accused him of allegedly consuming funds meant for government schemes. Hussain responded with his biryani remark, prompting Sarma’s latest retort at a public rally in Juria.