'When, Where And Why?' Congress Shares Himanta Sarma's Photo With Bangladeshi Islamic Scholar

Last Updated:February 10, 2026, 20:07 IST

Congress' Pawan Khera alleged that the cleric was linked to a Jamaat-e-Islami–led coalition in Bangladesh, a grouping he described as historically pro-Pakistan.

The Congress on Tuesday questioned Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after sharing a photograph purportedly showing him with a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, asking “when and why the meeting took place and what its purpose was."

Congress leader Pawan Khera, in a post on X, said he had received a photograph of Sarma with Dewan Muhammad Saidur Rahman Chisti Saidabadi, the head of the Chistia Saidia Darbar Sharif in Dhaka, which is also associated with the Aalia Madrasa.

Describing it as a “funny coincidence", Khera raised a series of questions over the circumstances surrounding the meeting.

Khera further alleged that the cleric was linked to a Jamaat-e-Islami–led coalition in Bangladesh, a grouping he described as historically pro-Pakistan and committed to an ideological agenda centred on Shariah law.

While stopping short of making a direct accusation, the Congress leader said the photograph raised concerns that merited clarification from the Assam Chief Minister.

Listing his questions, Khera asked “when and where the meeting occurred, what agenda was discussed, and why the interaction was not disclosed publicly if there was nothing objectionable about it."

He also accused Sarma of pursuing divisive politics in Assam while allegedly engaging with individuals he claimed were aligned with Pakistan’s interests.

Khera said the Congress would expect a detailed public explanation on the issue.

The latest exchange comes amid an intensifying political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress in Assam, marked by sharp accusations over alleged links to Pakistan.

On Sunday, Chief Minister Sarma held a press conference alleging that Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi’s wife had links to Pakistan, a charge Gogoi strongly denied.

Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of dragging his minor children into the controversy and attempting to divert attention from other issues.

While Gogoi was addressing the media in Guwahati on Monday, Sarma posted fresh remarks on social media questioning Gogoi’s 2013 visit to Pakistan.

He pointed to what he called inconsistencies in visa permissions and travel locations, specifically raising questions about Gogoi’s visit to Takshashila, which he noted lies in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi district and not within Islamabad city limits.

Sarma argued that Pakistani visa rules restrict travel to designated cities and claimed the visit raised “serious" national security concerns, noting that Rawalpindi also houses the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters.

Responding, Gogoi accused Sarma of manufacturing a controversy to deflect attention from allegations concerning land allegedly owned by the Chief Minister’s family.

He claimed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report cited by Sarma had been withheld for months because it failed to substantiate allegations linking him to Pakistan.

“If this were truly a national security issue, why was there silence for six months?" Gogoi asked, asserting that the SIT report did not support the Chief Minister’s claims.

He also linked the timing of Sarma’s allegations to the Congress party’s growing political activity in the state.

Describing Sarma’s press conference as a “super flop", Gogoi later said the event failed to convince even journalists present, further escalating the war of words between the two sides.

News politics 'When, Where And Why?' Congress Shares Himanta Sarma's Photo With Bangladeshi Islamic Scholar

Read More