Guwahati, Aug. 25 -- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday sharply criticised Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, a former Planning Commission member during the Manmohan Singh government, for supporting Bangladeshis living in India. He called her remarks "misleading."

Hameed, who visited Assam alongside other activists, said Bangladeshis "are also humans" and should not be denied the right to live in India, arguing that "Earth is so large."

In response, Rijiju stated, "Misleading in the name of humanity. It's about our land and identity. Why are minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs persecuted in Bangladesh and Pakistan? Syeda Hameed may be close to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but she shou...