->Arunudoy: Need cleap up and massive editing (including contrivercial statements, scandals etc)

2022-01-10T08:53:31Z

Need cleap up and massive editing (including contrivercial statements, scandals etc)

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{{COI|date=January 2022}}
{{short description|15th and current Chief Minister Of Assam}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Himanta Biswa Sarma
| image = Himanta Biswa Sarma,.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Sarma in 2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1969|02|01}}
| birth_place = [[Jorhat]], [[Assam]], [[India]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| order = 15th
| office = Chief Minister of Assam
| governor = [[Jagdish Mukhi]]
| preceding =
| succeeding =
| status = [[Incumbent]]
| term_start = 10 May 2021
| term_end =
| constituency =
| office6 = Member of the [[Assam Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start6 = 2001
| term_end6 =
| majority6 =
| predecessor6 = [[Bhrigu Kumar Phukan]]
| successor6 =
| constituency6 = [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]]
| office1 = [[Minister (government)|Minister]] of the [[Government of Assam]]
| 1blankname1 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata1 = [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
| term_start1 = 24 May 2016
| term_end1 = 9 May 2021
| 2blankname1 = Ministry
| 2namedata1 = Finance, Planning and Development, Health and Family Welfare, Education, Public Works
| 1blankname2 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata2 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname2 = Ministry
| 2namedata2 = Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Public Works, Transformation & Development
| term_start2 = 2011
| term_end2 = 2014
| incumbent =
| 1blankname3 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata3 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname3 = Ministry
| 2namedata3 = Health and Family Welfare, Finance, Public Works, Culture
| term_start3 = 2006
| term_end3 = 2011
| office4 = [[Minister of State]] of the [[Government of Assam]]
| 1blankname4 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata4 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname4 = Ministry
| 2namedata4 = Finance, Planning and Development
| term_start4 = 1 September 2004
| term_end4 = June 2006
| 1blankname5 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata5 = [[Tarun Gogoi]]
| 2blankname5 = Ministry
| 2namedata5 = Agriculture, Planning and Development
| term_start5 = 7 June 2002
| term_end5 = 31 August 2004
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[Riniki Bhuyan Sarma]]<br>|7 June 2001}}
| parents = Kailash Nath Sarma<br>Mrinalini Devi
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (2015–present)
| otherparty = [[Indian National Congress]] (1991–2015)
| relations =
| children = Nandil (son), Sukanya (daughter)
| alma_mater = *[[Cotton University|Cotton College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Master of Arts|MA]])
*[[BRM Government Law College]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]])
*[[Gauhati University]] ([[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])
| profession =
| website = {{url|https://www.himantabiswasarma.com/|Himanta Biswa Sarma}}
| footnotes =
| predecessor = [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
| nickname = ''Mama''<ref name=":2">{{cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/everyones-mama-is-assams-next-cm-himanta-biswa-sarmas-own-mettle-has-catapulted-him-to-the-top-3722699.html |title=Everyone's 'Mama' is Assam's Next CM: Himanta Biswa Sarma's Own Mettle Has Catapulted Him to the Top |work=News18 |date=10 May 2021 |author=Dipankar Roy |language=en}}</ref>
| citizenship = [[India]]
| native_name =
| Office = [[Chief Minister of Assam 2021]]
| signature = Signature of Himanta Biswa Sarma.svg
}}

'''Himanta Biswa Sarma''' ([[Assamese language|Assamese]]: {{Lang|as|হিমন্ত বিশ্ব শৰ্মা}}; 1 February 1969) is an Indian politician who serves as the 15th and current [[Chief Minister of Assam]]. A former member of the [[Indian National Congress]] political party, Sarma crossed the floor to join the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] on 23 August 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bhatt|first=Sheela|date=15 February 2016|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma: In 2016 Assam election, Bangladeshi immigrants want their own CM too|work=Indian Express|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/himanta-biswa-sarma-in-this-assam-election-bangladeshi-immigrants-want-their-own-cm-too/}}</ref> He is a five time [[Assam Legislative Assembly|Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly]] from [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]], having first been elected in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Abantika|date=2016-05-20|title=I told Rahul Gandhi you will not cross 25 seats, he said we will win: BJP MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/elections-2016/india/india-news-india/assam-assembly-elections-2016-bjp-himanta-biswa-sarma-2809869/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-21|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-05-09|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma: Early Life, INC & BJP Political Career, Books, Controversies & more|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/wikipedia-of-himanta-biswa-sarma-muscat-of-saffron-party-in-assam-533950|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Sentinel Assam}}</ref>

Sarma cited mismanagement by [[Rahul Gandhi]] as the reason for his defection from the Indian National Congress party. He led the BJP's successful state election campaign in 2016 and was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on 24 May 2016. The [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] appointed him the convener (leader) of the [[North-East Democratic Alliance]] (NEDA), a regional sub-group of the federal [[National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA), aimed at increasing the party's political strength in North-East India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2016-05-24|title=Former Gogoi close aide Himanta Biswa Sarma named convener of NDA's northeast alliance|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-former-gogoi-close-aide-himanta-biswa-sarma-named-convener-of-nda-s-northeast-alliance-2216129|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-21|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> He is often called 'Mama' (meaning maternal uncle) by voters in Assam.<ref name=":2" />

==Early life and education==
Sarma was born on 1 February 1969 in Gandhi Basti, [[Ulubari]], Guwahati.<ref name="MLAProfile">{{cite web|title=Who's Who|url=http://www.assamassembly.gov.in/himanta-biswa-sarma.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915202133/http://www.assamassembly.gov.in/himanta-biswa-sarma.html|archive-date=15 September 2021|access-date=22 January 2020|website=www.assamassembly.gov.in|publisher=Assam Legislative Assembly}}</ref> He belongs to a [[Assamese Brahmins|Assamese Bamun]] family which traces its origins to Latima in [[Nalbari district]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pisharoty|first=Sangeeta Barooah|date=9 May 2021|title=Assam Has a New CM – Himanta Biswa Sarma. What Does It Spell For the Future of Assam Politics?|url=https://thewire.in/politics/assam-has-a-new-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-what-does-it-spell-for-the-future-of-assam-politics|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=May 10, 2021|title=BJP's Troubleshooter, NE's Most Influential Politician Himanta Biswa Sarma to Take Oath as Assam CM Today|work=india.com|editor-last=Seal|editor-first=Rajashree|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/bjps-troubleshooter-nes-most-influential-politician-himanta-biswa-sarma-to-take-oath-as-assam-cm-today-4652241/|access-date=June 26, 2021}}</ref> Sarma married Riniki Bhuyan Sarma in 2001, with whom he has a son, Nandil Biswa Sarma,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kalita|first=Prabin|date=7 April 2021|title=Assam: Don’t want my son to step into politics, says Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/dont-want-my-son-to-step-into-politics-says-himanta/articleshow/81943496.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-21|website=The Times of India}}</ref> who attended [[The Doon School]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 January 2019|title=Himanta's son Nandil becomes captain of prestigious Doon School|url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/himantas-son-nandil-becomes-captain-prestigious-doon-school.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-28|website=Northeast Now|language=en-US}}</ref> and a daughter, Sukanya Sarma, who attended [[Mayo College Girls School]].<ref name="MLAProfile"/><ref name="profile">{{cite web|title=Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=http://216.150.25.81/nict11/pdf/profile/himanta_biswa_sarma.pdf|access-date=30 August 2012|publisher=Government of Assam}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} ''(This paragraph was originally referenced to this source, a lot of the content was sourced to this)''</ref>

Sarma was educated at Kamrup Academy School, Guwahati in 1985 and joined [[Cotton College, Guwahati]] (now known as Cotton University) for his undergraduate education.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2016-05-19|title=Assam election results 2016: Meet Himanta Biswa Sarma, ex-Congress minister, the man behind BJP’s historic victory|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/assam-election-results-2016-meet-himanta-biswa-sarma-ex-congress-minister-the-man-behind-bjps-historic-victory/259468/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Financial Express}}</ref> He was elected the General Secretary of [[Cotton University|Cotton College Students Union]], serving from 1991 to 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 May 2021|title=Proud moment for Cotton University as Himanta Sarma becomes the institute's seventh alumnus to don Assam CM's hat|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/may/11/proud-moment-for-cotton-university-as-himanta-sarma-becomes-the-institutes-seventhalumnus-to-don-a-2301150.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Sarma is the seventh chief minister of Assam from Cotton University.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kalita|first=Kangkan|date=10 May 2021|title=As news breaks, Cotton Univ celebrates its 'very own CM'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/as-news-breaks-cotton-univ-celebrates-its-very-own-cm/articleshow/82514676.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=10 May 2021|title=Assam's Cotton University: Institute that gave state 7 of 15 its chief ministers|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/guwahati/story/assam-s-cotton-university-institute-which-gave-state-7-of-15-chief-ministers-1800733-2021-05-10|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=India Today}}</ref>

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1990 and Master of Arts in 1992, both in [[political science]], from the University.<ref name=":0" /> Thereafter, Sarma obtained a [[Bachelor of Laws]] from Government Law College, Guwahati, and became a solicitor in 1995. He practised law at the [[Gauhati High Court]] from 1996 to 2001. In 2006, he completed a [[Doctorate of Philosophy]] in political science from [[Gauhati University]], defending his dissertation shortly before he was elected to public office.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="profile" /><ref>[http://ceoassam.nic.in/assembly/pdf/2011/affidavits/51/1-Himanta%20Biswa%20Sarma.pdf Affidavit]. pg 7. ''Chief Election Officer, Assam''. Retrieved on 22 September 2021.</ref>

==Political career==
=== Indian National Congress ===
Sarma was elected to the [[Assam Legislative Assembly]] from [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]] for the first time in 2001 when he defeated [[Asom Gana Parishad]] leader [[Bhrigu Kumar Phukan]]. He was re-elected in 2006, then in 2011 for a third consecutive term with a 78,000 vote margin.<ref name="NDTV2015" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Choudhury|first=Ratnadip|date=9 May 2021|title=From Student Body To Assam Chief Minister: Long Journey For Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/from-student-body-to-assam-chief-minister-long-journey-for-himanta-biswa-sarma-2438262|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=NDTV}}</ref> Sarma held important portfolios (both state and cabinet) as Minister of State for Agriculture, Planning and Development, Finance, Health, Education, and [[Assam Accord]] Implementation from 2002 to 2014.<ref name="NDTV2015">{{cite news |last1=IANS |title=Former Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Quits Assembly |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-assam-minister-himanta-biswa-sarma-quits-assembly-1217926 |access-date=31 March 2021 |work=NDTV |date=15 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/topic/himanta-biswa-sarma|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909112229/https://www.business-standard.com/topic/himanta-biswa-sarma|archive-date=9 September 2021}}</ref>

He was made Cabinet Minister for Health in 2006, and in 2011 he was also entrusted with the additional charge of Education.<ref name="MLAProfile" /> During his tenure, three medical colleges in [[Jorhat]], [[Barpeta]] and [[Tezpur]] were built.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Overview: Brief History of Jorhat Medical College|url=https://jorhatmedicalcollege.in/jmch/index.php/the-college/overview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408231921/http://jorhatmedicalcollege.in/jmch/index.php/the-college/overview|archive-date=8 April 2019|access-date=2021-09-22|website=jorhatmedicalcollege.in}}</ref> He also initiated work for five more medical colleges in [[Diphu]], [[Nagaon]], [[Dhubri]], [[North Lakhimpur]] and [[Kokrajhar]], which are now in various startup stages.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haq|first=Zia|date=2021-05-03|title=Assam: The phenomenon called Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assam-assembly-election/assamthe-phenomenon-called-himanta-biswa-sarma-101620017280296.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

=== Bharatiya Janata Party ===
[[File:Kamakhya Prasad Tasa with Home Minister of India Amit Shah & Chief Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.jpg|left|thumb|200x200px|Sarma with [[Amit Shah]] and [[Kamakhya Prasad Tasa]]]]
After political disagreements with the former chief minister [[Tarun Gogoi]], Sarma resigned from all positions on 21 July 2014. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari]] constituency until his resignation from the Assembly on 15 September 2015.<ref name="profile" /><ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150916/jsp/frontpage/story_42919.jsp#.VfniZJ1Viko Himanta resigns from MLA post]. ''Telegraph India.'' 15 September 2015. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180801124707/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150916/jsp/frontpage/story_42919.jsp Archived] on 1 August 2018.</ref> Sarma joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] on 23 August 2015 at the residence of [[Amit Shah]] at [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web|authors=IANS|date=2015-08-23|title=Former Assam minister Himanta Biswa meets Amit Shah, to join BJP|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/former-assam-minister-himanta-biswa-meets-amit-shah-to-join-bjp/story-ieqWZLEc8RL9QqeMC4NPpI.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> He was appointed as the party's Convener of the Election Management Committee for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|authors=Durba Ghosh. PTI|date=2021-05-09|title=Dogged determination, hard work rewards Himanta Biswa Sarma with the CM's mantle|url=https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/dogged-determination-hard-work-rewards-himanta-biswa-sarma-with-the-cm-s-mantle-11620559528405.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=mint|language=en}}</ref> In May 2016, Sarma won the [[Jalukbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jalukbari constituency]] for the fourth consecutive term and was sworn in as Cabinet Minister on 24 May in [[Sonowal ministry]], in the first BJP Government in [[North East India]]. He was allotted portfolios like Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Education, Planning & Development, Tourism, Pension & Public Grievances.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minister's Portfolio, Parliamentary Affairs, Government Of Assam, India|url=https://parliamentaryaffairs.assam.gov.in/portlets/ministers-portfolio|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209022616/http://parliamentaryaffairs.assam.gov.in/portlets/ministers-portfolio|archive-date=9 December 2017|access-date=2021-09-22|website=parliamentaryaffairs.assam.gov.in}}</ref>
==Chief Minister of Assam==

{{main|Himanta Biswa Sarma ministry}}

On 10 May 2021, Sarma was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Assam, succeeding his colleague [[Sarbananda Sonowal]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Vibha|date=9 May 2021|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma is new chief minister of Assam|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/sonowal-tenders-resignation-prior-to-election-of-new-assam-cm-250327|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Tribune India}}</ref>

Sarma urged Muslims to adopt "decent family planning" in June 2021. He also stressed the need for a new law against illegal cattle smuggling in Assam. <ref>{{cite web |title=Adopt 'decent family planning' policy to reduce poverty: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tells Muslims |url=https://scroll.in/latest/997194/adopt-decent-family-planning-policy-to-reduce-poverty-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-tells-muslims |website=Scroll.in |publisher=Scroll |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref> Mission Basundhara was launched under Sarma in 2021; it aims at helping residents with issues related to land and property.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parashar|first=Utpal|date=2021-09-21|title=Assam Police arrest 450 land brokers in crackdown against ‘Dalal Raj’|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-police-arrest-450-land-brokers-in-crackdown-against-dalal-raj-101632216371812.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-21|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
===Boundary dispute with Mizoram===
{{See also|Northeast India border disputes}}

On 26 July 2021 [[Assam Police]] and [[Mizoram Police]] ([[Mizoram]] is a sister state of Assam on its southern boundary) fired upon each other supposedly part of the decades old [[Assam-Mizoram border dispute]]. Assam lost six police personnel and a civilian in the firefight, while one youth from Mizoram suffered a gunshot wound. Both sides charged each other with opening fire first.

Reports from news media indicate that on 24 July 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma and [[Zoramthanga]] had a one-to-one talk about the boundary dispute where both agreed to settle the matter amicably through talks. Before this could take place, and only two days after the two Chief Ministers held their talks, this incident took place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saikia|first=Arunabh|date=28 July 2021|title=Does Assam CM’s belligerence over border dispute mark turn from coalition builder to regional bully?|url=https://scroll.in/article/1001283/does-assam-cms-belligerence-over-border-dispute-mark-turn-from-coalition-builder-to-regional-bully|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref>

Days after skirmish which left dozens of others injured, the Assam government on 29 July 2021 issued a travel advisory, asking people of the state not to travel to [[Mizoram]] - the first such travel advisory by a state in the independent India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mazumdar|first=Prasanta|date=30 July 2021|title=Do not visit Mizoram: Assam travel advisory for its people|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jul/30/do-not-visit-mizoram-assam-travel-advisory-for-its-people-2337392.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Himanta retracted from this advisory a day later.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 July 2021|title=No curbs on travel to Mizoram, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jul/30/no-curbs-on-travel-to-mizoram-saysassam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-2337810.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Further, Assam's Home and Political Department said on 29th July that the police should carry out an intensive drive against drugs and check "all vehicles entering into Assam from Mizoram".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhardwaj|first=Ananya|date=31 July 2021|title=Mizoram says Assam govt order on checking of vehicles for drugs ‘harassment’, writes to MHA|work=ThePrint|url=https://theprint.in/india/mizoram-says-assam-govt-order-on-checking-of-vehicles-for-drugs-harassment-writes-to-mha/706891/|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Abhilash|date=2021-07-30|title=Mizoram Govt condemns Assam’s order to check all vehicles from Mizoram|url=http://www.eastmojo.com/mizoram/2021/07/31/mizoram-govt-condemns-assams-order-to-check-all-vehicles-from-mizoram/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=EastMojo|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Sports administrator==
On 23 April 2017, Sarma was unanimously elected as President of [[Badminton Association of India]]. Sarma has been the president of the Assam Badminton Association. He also became the president of the [[Assam Cricket Association]] in June 2016 when his party man Pradip Buragohain became the secretary. Sarma was also the longest-serving vice president of the association serving from 2002 to 2016.<ref>[http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1316/sports054 Himanta Biswa Sarma becomes ACA chief]. ''Assam Tribune'' (13 June 2016). Retrieved on 31 August 2017. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180801064043/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1316/sports054 Archived] on 1 August 2018.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|authors=PTI|date=11 June 2016|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma Set To Become New Assam Cricket Association Chief|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/himanta-biswa-sarma-set-to-become-new-assam-cricket-association-chief-1417278|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=NDTV}}</ref>
==Controversies==
[[File:Kamakhya Prasad Tasa with Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|192x192px|Sarma in 2021]]

=== Controversial statements ===
In November 2020, Biswa posted on social media, claiming that supporters of [[AIUDF]] politician [[Badruddin Ajmal]] had shouted slogans in support of [[Pakistan]] to greet him, on his arrival at [[Silchar Airport|Silchar airport]]. Biswa's claim was reiterated by an Assamese news channel, News Live, which is owned by Biswa's wife, and then also confirmed by several news channels and newspapers, including [[Times Now]], [[CNN-News18|CNN News18]], and ''[[The New Indian Express]].'' Biswa's posts were flagged by [[Facebook]] as misinformation and blocked from being shared, after independent third-party fact-checkers examined videos of the event, and demonstrated that the slogans shouted had consisted of the names of political leaders and not in support of Pakistan. Guwahati Police have since registered a [[First Information Report]] and opened a case.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 November 2020|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma booked for false claim on social media: Police|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/himanta-biswa-sarma-booked-for-false-claim-on-social-media-police-7046483/|access-date=12 November 2020|work=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Case Registered Against Himanta Biswa Sarma For False Claim On Social Media: Police|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/case-registered-against-assam-minister-himanta-biswa-sarma-for-false-claim-on-social-media-police-2323551|access-date=12 November 2020|work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 November 2020|title=BJP's Himanta Biswa, media falsely claim 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans raised by AIUDF supporters|url=http://www.altnews.in/bjps-himanta-biswa-media-falsely-claim-pakistan-zindabad-slogans-raised-by-aiudf-supporters/|access-date=12 November 2020|work=Alt News|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=November 10, 2020|first=Hemanta Kumar|last=Nath|title=Case registered against Assam minister Himanta Biswa for false claim on social media|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/case-registered-against-assam-minister-himanta-biswa-for-false-claim-on-social-media-1739833-2020-11-10|access-date=12 November 2020|work=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=10 November 2020|title=Senior Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Booked for False Claim on Social Media: Police|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/senior-assam-minister-himanta-biswa-sarma-booked-for-false-claim-on-social-media-police-3066518.html|access-date=12 November 2020|work=News18|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma booked for false claims on social media, say police|url=https://scroll.in/latest/978191/assam-minister-himanta-biswa-sarma-booked-for-false-claims-on-social-media-say-police|access-date=12 November 2020|work=Scroll.in|language=en-US|date=10 November 2020}}</ref>

In April 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that there is no need to wear masks in the state as there is no more coronavirus, when India was undergoing the second wave of COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web|title='No need for masks, coronavirus is gone in Assam,' says health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/economy-politics/story/no-need-for-masks-coronavirus-is-gone-in-assam-says-health-minister-himanta-biswa-sarma-292599-2021-04-04|access-date=1 July 2021|website=Business Today|publisher=Business Today}}</ref>

=== Court related ===
Though Sarma was implicated in the Manabendra Sarma case he was acquitted by the court.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kashyap|first=Samudra Gupta|date=12 July 2010|title=RTI activist has ‘proof’ of Assam Health Minister’s ULFA past|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rti-activist-has--proof--of-assam-health-minister-s-ulfa-past/645184|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=28 July 2010|title=Akhil sees Sarma hand in diary theft|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/akhil-sees-sarma-hand-in-diary-theft/articleshow/6225071.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pisharoty|first=Sangeeta Barooah|date=19 July 2017|title=As Corruption Probe in Assam Slows, Questions Are Raised About Official Intentions|url=https://thewire.in/politics/louis-berger-himanta-biswa-sarma-assam|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Wire}}</ref>

A Delhi-based advocate from Assam has lodged a complaint with the [[National Human Rights Commission of India|National Human Rights Commission]] (NHRC) against the [[Assam Police|Assam police]] "on an encounter spree" since Sarma stated in the police conference that police should shoot alleged criminals at legs which are permitted by the law.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Special Correspondence|date=July 11, 2021|title=Assam police on 'encounter spree', NHRC told|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assam-police-on-encounter-spree-nhrc-told/article35261868.ece|access-date=2021-07-31}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons-inline|Himanta Biswa Sarma}}
* {{Official website|http://www.himantabiswasarma.com}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{Facebook |himantabiswasarma}}
* {{Cite web|title=(Article title in Assamese)|url=https://dainikjanambhumi.co.in/10052021/details.php?date=14-05-2014&page=1-8&article=5.jpg&cid=28664|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-10|website=[[Dainik Janambhumi]]|language=as}}

{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministers}}
{{Chief Ministers of Assam}}
{{Current Indian Chief Ministers}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarma, Himanta Biswa}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Assam]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Bharatiya Janata Party]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Assam]]
[[Category:Members of the Assam Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Assam]]
[[Category:Politicians from Guwahati]]
[[Category:Gauhati University alumni]]
[[Category:Cotton College, Guwahati alumni]]
[[Category:People from Assam]]
[[Category:People from Guwahati]]
[[Category:People from Kamrup district]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Assam]]
[[Category:Assam MLAs 2016–2021]]
[[Category:Assam MLAs 2006–2011]]
[[Category:Assam MLAs 2021–2026]]
[[Category:Badminton in India]]

Himanta Biswa Sarma - Revision history

UpdateBot: robot: Update article

->Arunudoy: Need cleap up and massive editing (including contrivercial statements, scandals etc)