Assam’s Poise Under Pressure: A Masterclass in Civic Restraint

By Mrinal Talukdar

In mid-June 2025, Assam faced a calculated attempt to ignite communal strife. Provocateurs targeted Hindu places of worship, desecrating temples in Dhubri, Lakhimpur, Lanka, and Goalpara, and Namghars in Hojai and Lakhimpur with beef and cattle remains.

At least five incidents were reported, including a cow’s head placed near a Hanuman temple in Muslim-majority Dhubri, alongside threats from groups like “Nabin Bangla.” Authorities responded decisively, arresting over 177 individuals, including members of a “new beef mafia” in Dhubri accused of trafficking cattle from West Bengal during Eid.

Yet, Assam’s people—across Hindu, Muslim, and other communities—refused to be provoked. Their collective restraint ensured no communal violence erupted, showcasing remarkable civic resolve.

A Fiery Start, A Measured Shift

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma initially stirred controversy with a call for “retaliation”: “If they throw beef, respond with pork.” His remarks, amplified on social media, sparked concerns of escalating tensions. However, Sarma soon recalibrated, urging calm: “We have to stop these people from this business of throwing beef-pork. We don’t want any of it to happen.” He emphasized protecting sacred spaces for all communities.

This shift, paired with swift state action, helped prevent further escalation. On June 20, Sarma ordered strict enforcement of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, banning beef-related activities within a 5-km radius of temples and Namghars, arguing prior enforcement could have thwarted the provocations.

Law and Order in Action

The state’s response was robust. In Lakhimpur, seven individuals were arrested after cattle skulls appeared near Siring Chuk Namghar. In Goalpara, five were detained for throwing beef near a Lakhipur temple. In Dhubri—a volatile area with a 90% Muslim population and recent pro-Bangladesh posters—night-time “shoot-at-sight” orders and deployments of CRPF and the Rapid Action Force led to over 30 arrests, targeting alleged “beef mafia” ringleaders.

Voices of Reason

Assam’s restraint earned widespread praise. Veteran columnist Brojen Deka lauded the public’s wisdom: “This was not just law and order at work. It was a collective refusal to be manipulated. The people have seen too much blood… to let a few pieces of meat dictate their future.”

Prof. Satyam Barthakur of Dibrugarh University noted a societal evolution: “This is the new Assam. We moved past knee-jerk identity politics… the emergence of a people who want stability, jobs, and dignity—not conflict.”

Defence analyst Subimal Bhattacharjee highlighted the strategic depth: “Assam’s restraint has thrown cold water on efforts to spark strife in regions with complex communal histories. This maturity is both strategic and emotional—a rare combination.”

CPI(M) leader Sukprakash Talukdar expressed pride: “This is a proud moment for Assam. The people stood taller than their political masters, rejecting the politics of hate with grace and courage.”

A Resilient Society

Assam’s history of ethnic tensions—ULFA insurgency, migration debates, and NRC upheavals—has forged a people skeptical of engineered conflict. In this crisis, communities stood united. Hindu groups maintained vegetarian temple premises as a symbolic gesture, while Muslim elders called for peace. In Dhubri, local peace committees met promptly after each incident to quell tensions. No inflammatory slogans or rallies emerged, halting any spiral of violence.

Though Sarma’s initial rhetoric drew criticism for political expediency, his eventual focus on unity, combined with public restraint, restored calm.

Civil Society’s Strength

Assam’s people chose temperance over chaos, proving that communal provocateurs thrive only when anger takes hold. By refusing to react with violence, communities across religious lines demonstrated a collective commitment to peace, dignity, and stability, undermining the agenda of hate.

The Road Ahead

With Assembly elections looming, Assam stands at a crossroads. Sustaining this calm demands ongoing vigilance: stronger border policing, tighter cattle trade regulations, and monitoring of inflammatory online content (Sarma cited thousands of foreign-based “hate” accounts).
This episode teaches a universal truth: provocation needs public outrage to succeed. Assam denied it both. When meat was thrown, silence prevailed—a silence that became the state’s strongest shield.

A Quiet Victory

In a week, Assam faced a meticulously orchestrated communal provocation. Yet, through societal sobriety and collective resolve, the state emerged unscathed. This understated triumph is profound. In polarized times, Assam’s people proved that a united civil society is the ultimate antidote to hate, offering a blueprint for harmony in fractured times.

Also Read: When Mother Earth menstruates