Guwahati, Dec 23 (UNI) Star strategist of BJP in North East, Himanta Biswa Sarma jibe at
cancer patients has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters for linking accidents and life-threatening diseases like cancer to "sin... past life...and divine justice."
Mr Sarma, Health Minister in the Assam Cabinet, was addressing school teachers at a
government function in Guwahati on Tuesday when he talked about good and bad karma
and said in Assamese, "God makes us suffer when we sin. Sometimes we come across
young men getting inflicted with cancer or young men meeting with accidents. If you observe
their background you will come to know that it's divine justice. Nothing else. We have to
suffer that divine justice."
He also said, "In this lifetime or in our previous life, or perhaps my father or mother... perhaps
that young man did not do anything, but his father has done something wrong... no one can
escape divine justice."
The minister, who is a law graduate and has a PhD, was advising the teachers to "work
hard and be honest," after distributing appointment letters to them.
Leader of the opposition in the Assam assembly, Debabrata Saikia said the minister's
comments has hurt cancer patients. This reflects his mentality," Mr Saikia.
“Cancer is divine justice for sins' says Assam Minister Sharma. That is what switching
parties does to a person," tweeted senior Congress leader P Chidambaram.
Mr Sarma is credited with BJP’s success in Assam. He crossover to BJPO ahead of
assembly elections in Assam.
UNI ABI BM