Barpeta, Assam: Shahin Alam is a carpenter, a muazzin at a mosque and as well as a teacher at a maktab in Tinsukia district of Assam. He has been living in Lohari Kochari village, which is about 600 kilometre from his hometown in Silchar.
On August 10, a group of people arrived near his maktab and began questioning why he had opened it. The group threatened him, saying, “Toi iyar pora jaboi lagibo” (You must leave this place). He identified himself as the Muslim man wearing a Panjabi and skull cap in a Newz Now video, where a group was seen threatening him.
According to India Hate Lab, Sarma’s statements have fuelled at least 18 incidents across 14 districts, including celebrations of forced evictions of Muslims, hate speech on social media, and public calls for further demolition of settlements belonging to “illegal immigrants.” Many of these events were organised or supported by BJP leaders and their affiliates.