Guwahati, Nov 12: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that those who do not sing Vande Mataram can never truly be Indian, stressing the importance of national identity and vigilance against divisive elements.
“Earlier we believed that education would eliminate extremism. But now we have seen that education can sometimes make people even more dangerous. When such individuals become doctors, they can be even more harmful,” Sarma told reporters.
He asserted that one’s loyalty to the nation is reflected through respect for Bharat Mata. “A person’s true nature never changes. Those who do not sing Vande Mataram can never truly be Indian. If one cannot feel that Bharat Mata is their mother, they can never truly belong to this nation. Therefore, we must always remain alert,” the chief minister said.
Sarma further argued that education alone cannot shape a person’s character. “The belief that education alone can solve everything is wrong, because if a person harbors ill intentions, education only makes them more capable of doing wrong. Being educated does not guarantee that someone will do good deeds,” he added.
Referring to a recent case involving an arrested doctor, Sarma alleged that the individual had been involved in “anti-national activities” since his college days. “He confessed to trapping Hindu girls and getting them married to Muslim men, leading to religious conversion. Such incidents remind us to stay vigilant — whether it’s Pahalgam or Delhi, every incident is a lesson to remain cautious and united,” he said.
