Guwahati, Jan. 31 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday stated that had Mahatma Gandhi been alive today, he would have supported the Assamese people's fight against illegal immigration, arguing that protecting the state's rights and identity is not an act of hatred.

Responding to a social media post of Tushar Gandhi, the Assam Chief Minister asserted that democratic governments are changed by elections, not by intimidation or attempts to prematurely remove an elected Chief Minister.

"If Bapu were alive today, he would have stood with the Assamese people. In fact, history shows that his intervention saved Assam from becoming part of Pakistan. Standing up against illegal infiltration is not hatred--it is about protecting...