11/08/2025
Lawrence Islary reacts CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's 'First-Class, Second-Class Citizen' remark in BTR
BLive || Kokrajhar, Aug 11: Reacting sharply to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s controversial remark during a BTC election campaign, MLA and Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Peace accord signatory Lawrence Islary said that the Indian Constitution does not recognize first or second-class citizens, and such statements made to sway voters are inappropriate and harmful.
The Chief Minister, while addressing public rallies in various constituencies under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), reportedly stated that there should not be “first and second-class citizens” in BTR — a remark that drew criticism from several quarters, including local leaders.
Lawrence Islary, who played a key role in the historic Bodo Peace Accord, emphasized that after years of struggle and efforts, the BTR region has begun to witness peace, unity, and understanding among its 26 ethnic communities.
“We have worked hard to build mutual trust and harmony among the indigenous communities of this region. Now is not the time to inject division or suspicion in people’s minds. Political parties must refrain from making provocative or misleading statements during election campaigns,” Islary stated.
He further appealed to all political leaders to respect the spirit of the BTR Peace Accord and support the ongoing efforts to build a united and inclusive Bodoland region.
The BTR region, once affected by insurgency and ethnic strife, has been on a path to peace following the signing of the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord, which brought various Bodo factions into the mainstream and promised greater autonomy and development for the region.
With the BTC elections approaching, political rhetoric has intensified. However, leaders like Islary have urged restraint, emphasizing that political gains should not come at the cost of social harmony and constitutional values.
