Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that he has directed the state police to file a treason case against Congress leaders of Sribhumi district for singing the national anthem of Bangladesh during a party meeting, according to reports by PTI. Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma described the incident as a “blatant disrespect” to India and its national symbols, and accused the opposition party of implicitly endorsing claims by some Bangladeshi groups that the entire Northeast region belongs to Bangladesh.

“The Congress meeting started with singing of Bangladesh’s national anthem instead of the Indian national anthem. This is a clear insult to the people of India and its national anthem,” Sarma said. He added that he had instructed the police to register a case under relevant sections of the law against the Sribhumi District Congress Committee and its office bearers.

According to PTI, the controversy arose during a Seva Dal meeting at the district Congress office in Sribhumi town on Tuesday, when participants began the proceedings by singing two lines of the Bangladeshi national anthem, Amar Sonar Bangla, written by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The act, in Sarma’s view, constituted a deliberate act of disrespect and had political undertones.

Earlier, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the Congress, accusing it of engaging in “competitive appeasement politics.” Poonawalla argued that the Congress’ actions indicated support for Bangladeshi infiltrators, while pointing fingers at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for allegedly advocating “Jungle Raj and the rule of Sharia laws, despite claiming to uphold the Constitution.” He added, “The Congress is showing support to Bangladesh at a time when that country talks about dividing India. This has become a premeditated enterprise of the Congress and the Opposition.”

In response, Congress MP and Assam chief Gaurav Gogoi defended the singing of the anthem, emphasizing that it is a composition by Rabindranath Tagore and reflects Bengali cultural heritage. “It is a song composed by Rabindranath Tagore and conveys the sentiments of Bengali culture. The BJP has always insulted the Bengali language, Bengali culture, and the people of Bengal,” Gogoi said. He accused the BJP’s IT cell of showing historical ignorance and politicizing the issue, asserting that Bengali-speaking populations across India recognize that the party uses them merely for electoral gains.

The political row underscores the deep sensitivities surrounding cultural identity and national symbolism in Assam and the broader Northeast region. While Sarma has framed the issue as a matter of national integrity and alleged treason, Congress leaders have defended their actions as a celebration of cultural heritage, pointing to the literary and historical significance of Rabindranath Tagore’s work.

The development comes amid heightened political tensions in Assam ahead of upcoming electoral contests, with debates over identity, migration, and cross-border influences increasingly shaping public discourse. The case, if registered, will likely spark further debate over the legal and cultural implications of singing a foreign national anthem in official or semi-official gatherings in India.

As the controversy unfolds, political observers note that the incident highlights the delicate balance between cultural expression and perceived political statements, particularly in regions like Assam, where historical, ethnic, and linguistic factors remain highly sensitive. It also reflects the intensifying politicization of symbolic acts in contemporary Indian politics, with both the ruling and opposition parties seeking to mobilize public sentiment around questions of national pride and cultural identity.

The police have yet to confirm the formal registration of the treason case, but state authorities have indicated that the matter will be pursued under provisions of the law that pertain to acts prejudicial to national sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Congress has maintained its stance that the singing of Amar Sonar Bangla was a cultural homage rather than a political statement, with leaders emphasizing the literary and artistic legacy of Tagore.

This episode has already fueled social media debates and media coverage, with commentators and political analysts examining the historical and cultural dimensions of the anthem, its role in Bengali identity, and its interpretation in contemporary political discourse. The situation in Assam, where ethnic and linguistic identities are often politically charged, adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding events.

In sum, the Sribhumi incident has triggered a significant political and legal confrontation between Assam’s ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, raising questions about the limits of cultural expression, the legal definitions of treason, and the broader intersection of politics and identity in India’s northeastern states. Both sides have remained firm in their positions: the BJP framing the act as a threat to national integrity, and the Congress defending it as a celebration of cultural heritage, leaving the issue poised for further legal and political developments.