AIUDF Criticizes Himanta Biswa Sarma Over Karimganj Renaming to Sribhumi

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s decision to rename Karimganj district to Sribhumi drew criticism from AIUDF, accusing it of religious undertones. Sarma justified the change as aligning with cultural heritage, while AIUDF emphasized Karimganj’s historical and symbolic significance.

AIUDF general secretary Rafiqul Islam criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for renaming Karimganj district to Sribhumi, suggesting the change was influenced by religious biases. "They only see Muslims in Karim," Islam remarked, adding that "Karim" signifies love and affection.

Sarma announced the renaming on Tuesday, stating that Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had referred to the region as "Sribhumi" over a century ago. "The #AssamCabinet has fulfilled this long-standing demand of our people," Sarma posted on X.

Islam questioned the rationale, asserting that Karimganj has historical significance and dismissing Sarma’s claim that "Karimganj" lacks meaning in Assamese and Bengali dictionaries. "If names without dictionary meanings are to be changed, thousands in Assam will need renaming," he argued.

Highlighting Karimganj’s historical connection, Islam said the district remained part of India during the partition due to the efforts of its people.

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Defending the decision, Sarma suggested names should honor significant historical or cultural figures, not "unknown persons," adding that critics should not target Tagore.