Guwahati, Jan 10: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 10 made a strong statement on the religious identity of India’s political leadership, asserting that while the Constitution does not restrict who can become the Prime Minister, the country’s civilisational character would ensure that the position remains occupied by a Hindu. Addressing the media, Sarma said there is no constitutional barrier preventing any citizen from becoming the Prime Minister, but maintained that India is fundamentally rooted in Hindu civilisation, which, in his view, shapes its political leadership.
Sarma’s remarks reflect his broader articulation of India as a civilisation state rather than merely a modern political construct, a position frequently echoed by leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. His comments have once again brought ideological debates on constitutional secularism and civilisational identity into public discourse.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Assam for the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kaliabor on January 18. A high-level review meeting was held on January 10 to assess readiness for the public programme, with officials reviewing logistical and administrative arrangements for the key events scheduled during the visit.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is expected to lay the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, a major infrastructure project estimated to cost Rs 6,957 crore. The project will be executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and an audio-visual presentation outlining its features will follow the foundation stone-laying ceremony.
The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor forms part of the four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch of NH-37, now designated as NH-715. Spanning approximately 34.45 kilometres, the project includes elevated, wildlife-friendly corridors and bypasses at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat. Designed in line with court directions and recommendations of the Wildlife Institute of India, the corridor aims to enhance connectivity between Central and Upper Assam while safeguarding the biodiversity of Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project has a construction timeline of 36 months.
The Prime Minister’s programme will also include the virtual flagging off of two Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Dibrugarh to Gomti Nagar in Lucknow and Kamakhya to Rohtak. Officials said the new services are expected to improve long-distance rail connectivity between Assam and several states, contributing to faster travel, better passenger amenities and increased economic and tourism activity along the routes.
