Garga Chatterjee, the self-described Bengali Nationalist who repeatedly makes insulting comments on other non-Bengali ethnicities and cultures of India, has irked the Assam government with his rants. He made objectionable comments on Sukapha, the “architect of modern Assam” and Ahom community. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonawal has now sought Garga Chatterjee’s arrest for referring to the Ahom King as a “Chinese invader”.
“Posting of offensive remarks on social media misinterpreting historical facts could lead to rift between different communities in an ethnically diverse state like Assam,” said Sarbananda Sonowal, adding that the statements had “hurt the sentiments of Assamese people” said Assam CM.
On the direction given by Assam Chief Minister Sabrananda Sonowal, Assam Police has left for Kolkata to arrest the city-based political commentator who kees making controversial and seditious statements. The Crime Branch of Assam Police has registered cases under Sections 294, 153A, 500, 506 of IPC with Section 67 of IT Act in the Dibrugarh district against the cultural superiority driven Bengali Nationalist who wants an independent Greater Bengal.
Sukhapha established the Ahom Kingdom in the 13th century, and the kingdom lasted for more than 600 years. The Ahom Kingdom defeated many Mughal rulers including Aurangzeb, whose armed forces were defeated by the great Lachit Borphukan. To remember the contributions of Sukapha, the Assam government celebrates “Asom Divas” on December 2 every year.
Why does @sarbanandsonwal regularly celebrate a Chinese invader and his invading army? Why does banned separatist group ULFA also celebrate the Chinese invader? Do real Indians know that Indian tax money is being used by BJP in Assam to put up statues of a Chinese invader?
— Garga Chatterjee (@GargaC) June 17, 2020
On June 17, Chatterjee, whose bio reads, “Bangla Pokkho. Bengali Nationalist. Federalist. Sometimes I give back as good as I get. Often satirical,” tweeted, “Why does @sarbanandsonwal regularly celebrate a Chinese invader -and his invading army? Why does banned separatist group ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) also celebrate the Chinese invader? Do real Indians know that Indian tax money is being used by BJP in Assam to put up statues of a Chinese invader?” referring the first ruler of Ahom Kingdom as Chinese invader.
https://twitter.com/GargaC/status/1273517570256060416
After this, on June 18 Chatterjee again tweeted, “Why do uncivilized Chinese love terrorist Paresh Barua of ULFA so much? What is the special relationship between Chinese & Barua? What is the special relationship between China & ULFA? What is common between these anti-Indian forces? Bengalis know bcoz we fought British, ULFA didn’t.
From 1228 onwards Assam was ruled by Ahoms, patronized the temples, and fought off the Mughals. Slowly but surely, they integrated themselves more and more with the Hindu majority they were ruling. They represented a culture diametrically opposed to the Turks, Persians, and Uzbeks ruling most of India at the time. Tai Ahoms embraced and enriched the Hindu culture in many ways. They did not try to trample and eliminate it. Thus, their ethoses were entirely “Indian”.
Ahom Kingdom gave us Veer Lachit Borphukan, whose valor and military strategy is still celebrated in the armed forces. Lachit Borphukan, who defeated the Mughal army, was the son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first Borbarua (Governor of upper Assam and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom army).
Lachit Borphukan and his spirited army drove the massive Mughal army out of the western half of Assam. The name of Lachit Borphukan and the sight of his dreaded Hengdang was enough to kick the living daylights out of the Mughals.
The Ahoms in their small boats surrounded the bigger but less navigable Mughal boats. Lachit Borphukan and his spirited army emerged as the winner and the Mughals fled in shame. Lachit Borphukan died of war wounds a year later.
This is not the first time Garga Chatterjee has insulted people from non-Bengali ethnicities. Out of his hatred for PM Modi and love Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Chatterjee has regularly made insulting statements about Gujarati, just like his South Indian nationalist comrade Ram Guha whose hatred against Gujarati was visible a few weeks ago.
However, all the other state governments gave Garga Chatterjee a free pass. But insulting the founder of Modern Assam could cost him heavily as the Assam government takes notice of his shenanigans.