Assam governor P.B. Acharya was quoted as saying that “Hindustan is for Hindus”. It has triggered bitter controversy and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has demanded his removal. Acharya is deeply rooted in the Sangh ethos. He however later clarified that all people of Indian origin persecuted in foreign lands were welcome in India. For instance, if an Indian Christian is persecuted in Pakistan, he can come to India and Indian Muslims are free to go anywhere. He mentioned the case of Taslima Nasreen who had sought shelter in India. He added that all religious communities were persecuted. It is not clear what he meant by saying that if a Muslim is persecuted, he can go to Pakistan or to any other country but that Hindus had no other place. Acharya was jailed for 6 months in 1948 when the Sangh was banned following Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. He became President of the Sangh student wing, ABVP in 1969.
Tarun Gogoi has said that Acharya has broken the oath of maintaining the unity and integrity of the country which he has taken in the name of the Indian Constitution and has asked for his replacement. Acharya is reported to have appointed several RSS members to the Dibrugarh University Court, depriving efficient people and scholars. He is alleged to have converted Raj Bhavan in Guwahati into an RSS den. AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has said that if the Governor had made such a controversial remark, it is very unfortunate. One thing is clear Acharya has violated the neutrality that a Governor is supposed to maintain. The Assam assembly elections are coming. Having tasted defeat in Bihar, the BJP will do well to redress Congress and AGP grievances against Governor Acharya.
