Advocate Abdus Sabur Tapadar Condemns Vijay Malakar’s Pakistan Remark, Raises Communal Concerns in Karimganj
Bijoy Malakar the elected BJP MLA from Ratabari constituency, is no stranger to controversy. In April 2024, he made headlines for threatening voters with bulldozer action if they didn’t support the BJP — a statement that sparked nationwide criticism.
Now, his recent alleged remark comparing parts of Karimganj to Pakistan has reignited public outcry
Background: Vijay Malakar’s History of Controversy
Prominent Guwahati High Court lawyer Abdus Sabur Tapadar has strongly condemned a recent controversial statement made by BJP MLA Vijay Malakar, in which Malakar allegedly compared South Karimganj to Pakistan during a public address. The comment has triggered significant outrage among local residents and raised concerns over communal harmony in the sensitive border district of Karimganj.
Tapadar’s Response A Public Representative Should Never Say This
In a statement shared via a local YouTube video, senior advocate Abdus Sabur Tapadar declared:
“Such a comparison is highly offensive, especially coming from an elected representative. In a region like Karimganj, which is a sensitive border area, these comments risk disturbing communal peace. Vijay Malakar must publicly apologise and exercise restraint in future statements
Communal Harmony at Stake
Karimganj is known for its diverse population, including Bengali-speaking Hindus and Muslims.
Being a border district, it has historically required careful handling of communal sentiments.
Malakar’s remark has the potential to disturb the fragile balance and ignite social unrest, especially during election time.
Bijoy Malakar He referred to South Karimganj as Pakistan & Patharkandi as Hindustan
Vijay Malakar, a sitting MLA from Ratabari constituency, has recently found himself at the center of a politically sensitive controversy following his comments during a visit to the Sonbeel area in Assam. The occasion was a government-led inspection and announcement of a ₹100-crore development project in Sonbeel—aimed at enhancing the region’s fisheries, tourism, and local infrastructure. Malakar was accompanied by Assam’s Minister of Fisheries Krishnendu Pal and senior officials from the department.
While the developmental agenda took center stage, it was quickly overshadowed by a provocative and polarizing statement made by Vijay Malakar. He referred to South Karimganj as “Pakistan” and Patharkandi as “Hindustan”, citing the recent delimitation process which redrew constituency boundaries. According to him, the Fakua and Nagendranagar areas—earlier under South Karimganj—now fall under Patharkandi, which he claims is a more development-focused and Hindu-majority region. He emphasized that the people of these areas have now “entered Hindustan” from what he metaphorically referred to as “Pakistan.”
This comment has triggered widespread criticism and sparked questions about communal sensitivities and constitutional ethics. Critics have raised concerns over an elected public representative drawing such stark communal and national boundaries between parts of a democratic Indian district. Political observers and opposition parties have labeled his remark as “irresponsible”, “unconstitutional”, and “divisive”.
However, Malakar remained defiant. In a follow-up statement given to local media on August 6, he asserted that he stood by his comment and reiterated that in regions like Neelam Bazar, Customergram, and Patharkandi, Hindus have been allegedly chased away or face difficulties going out even to buy vegetables after 6 PM. His claim implies religious targeting and alleged insecurity for Hindus in specific parts of the district, though no verified government reports have supported such assertions.
Meanwhile, Minister Krishnendu Pal attempted to keep the narrative focused on development. He outlined the government’s ambitious plans, including raising duck egg production from 1 lakh to 25 lakh per year, maintaining water levels in Sonbeel for 12 months, and developing it into a hub for aquaculture and tourism. The project is framed as part of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s vision for holistic growth in Barak Valley.
Malakar praised the CM’s leadership, highlighting that for the first time in decades, a Chief Minister has prioritized the Sonbeel region. He insisted that the ₹100 crore fund was a historic allocation and credited Krishnendu Pal for persistent efforts to bring attention to the long-neglected region.
Despite the positive steps in infrastructure, Malakar’s communal-toned rhetoric threatens to overshadow the developmental discourse. Public sentiment in the region now reflects a split—while some support his directness, others fear such language could damage Assam’s delicate inter-community balance.
Bijoy Malakar: A Chronicle of Controversies in Assam Politics
Controversy Tracker: Bijoy Malakar
CATEGORY 1: Communal & Religious Remarks
South Karimganj is like Pakistan, Patharkandi is like Hindustan”
Date: August 4, 2025
Location: Sonbeel, Karimganj
Details: During an inspection of a ₹100 crore development project, Malakar said that the Sonbeel area was once part of South Karimganj, which he likened to “Pakistan”, and that now being in Patharkandi makes it part of “Hindustan”.
Impact: Triggered public outrage and condemnation from legal figures like Advocate Abdus Subur Tapadar. Civil society called the remark “divisive and communal.”
Source: India Today NE
Hindus were chased out of Karimganj towns at night”
Date: August 6, 2025
Media: Local Assamese news and Purvanchal Pratidin coverage
Details: Malakar alleged that under the previous Congress government, Hindus in areas like Nilambazar, Kustargram, and Patharkandi were chased away at night and couldn’t even buy vegetables after 6 PM.
Impact: Statement raised tensions in communally sensitive areas and was criticized as an attempt to communalize local demographics.
Response: Malakar stood by his statement, denying any wrongdoing or regret in interviews on August 6.
Source: [Purvanchal Pratidin coverage and video clips on YouTube, August 2025]
CATEGORY 2: Electoral Threats Bulldozer Threat During Campaign
Date: April 2024
Details: In a campaign rally, Malakar allegedly threatened that those who don’t vote for BJP would have their houses bulldozed (JCB reference).
Impact: Sparked outrage and legal complaints from Congress.
Response: Malakar claimed the video was edited and misrepresented his statement.
Source: Hindustan Times
CATEGORY 3: Institutional/Protocol Disrespect
Humiliation in Hailakandi
Date: June 5, 2025
Event: Malakar was reportedly denied entry or sidelined during an official government event in Hailakandi.
Impact: He expressed strong displeasure and alleged that protocol was broken deliberately.
Source: Assam Tribune video
Clarification Denying Direct Comparison: Bijoy Malakar on South Karimganj
In a recent public clarification, BJP MLA Bijoy Malakar firmly denied that he had directly compared South Karimganj to Pakistan, a remark that had sparked widespread controversy and public outrage. Addressing the concerns in a video statement, Malakar explained that his comments were misunderstood and misrepresented by the media and social platforms.
Malakar clarified that his reference was intended to highlight the historical neglect and suffering of the Hindu community in South Karimganj, particularly during the Congress-led administrations in Assam. He asserted that the conditions faced by Hindus in specific villages such as Baruigram, Kayasthagram, and Nilambazar were extremely distressing — so much so that many families were forced to flee their homes due to insecurity and lack of development. According to Malakar, during those times, Hindus were often unable to sell vegetables, fish, or other goods in local markets after sunset, reflecting an environment of intimidation and marginalization.
He further stated that his comparison was between the overall development levels of India and Pakistan as nations, not a direct equation of South Karimganj to Pakistan. His emphasis was on the fact that even after 75 years of Indian independence, South Karimganj remained underdeveloped and deprived of basic infrastructure and safety, especially in Hindu-dominated areas, unlike other regions.
Malakar reiterated that his intention was to shed light on the long-standing historical grievances and to call for greater attention to the neglected communities of South Karimganj. He expressed regret for any misunderstanding caused but stood by his assertion regarding the region’s development gap and the historical plight of its residents.
This clarification has sparked further debate, with supporters appreciating his candidness in addressing past neglect, while critics remain concerned about the communal implications of his remarks in Assam’s delicate socio-political environment.
| Date | Statement / Clarification | Category | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Alleged threat to bulldoze homes of non-voters during election campaign | Electoral Threat | FIR filed, strong media backlash, legal complaints by Congress |
| June 2025 | Incident of alleged disrespect during official event in Hailakandi | Institutional Disrespect | Raised public questions about political protocol and decorum |
| August 4, 2025 | Controversial remark comparing South Karimganj to “Pakistan” and Patharkandi to “Hindustan” | Communal & Religious Remarks | Widespread condemnation; accused of inciting communal tensions |
| August 6, 2025 | Clarification denying direct comparison; stated suffering of Hindus in South Karimganj under Congress rule was worse than minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh | Historical Allegation & Reframing | Generated further controversy; sparked debates on communal history and politics |
BJP MLA Vijay Malakar has stirred controversy with his recent comments about alleged communal tension and insecurity faced by Hindus during the Congress era in South Karimganj. In his statement, Malakar claimed that in areas such as Nilambazar to Kayasthagram), Barigram, and Hasanpur, Hindu residents were afraid to step out after 6 PM, even for daily needs like buying vegetables. He further stated that during the Congress regime, these areas were hostile for Hindus, to the extent that they were chased and attacked in markets.
However, current ground-level reports and the demographic realities paint a very different picture. Today, these very areas — Nilambazar, Barigram, and others — still have a substantial Hindu population. Hindus are active in local trade, participate in community life, and continue to reside peacefully. Local residents and observers confirm that these places are socially mixed and largely peaceful.
Moreover, it’s important to note that these areas fall under the jurisdiction of Karimganj district, where the current MLA is Krishnendu Paul — a fellow BJP leader. If there is still such fear and insecurity under a BJP government, that raises serious questions about accountability.
Critics argue that Vijay Malakar’s comments mirror a pattern similar to that of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, where provocative statements are used strategically to polarize sentiments. Many see Malakar’s remarks not as factual observations, but as a political tool designed to provoke communal emotions, particularly among the Hindu electorate.
By making emotionally charged claims about Hindus being forced to flee or being unable to sell goods, Malakar may be attempting to tap into historical grievances, but the facts on the ground do not support such a narrative today. Instead, these statements risk disturbing the fragile communal harmony in Barak Valley and beyond.
As an elected representative, Malakar is expected to speak responsibly and in a manner that fosters unity, not division. While he claims he was merely pointing out past neglect under Congress, critics say the language he used was inflammatory and unfounded.
Whether his comments were part of a calculated political strategy or simply poor judgment remains open to interpretation. But one thing is clear: his claims lack factual basis in today’s context and have raised concerns about rising communal rhetoric in regional politics
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