Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking to the press, called for the harassment of “Miyas” (Bengali-origin Muslims). He urged people to harass Miyas in any way possible, including deliberately underpaying rickshaw drivers by paying 4 rupees instead of 5, claiming they would leave only when they were made to face trouble. He said people should go out even at midnight if it meant harassing Miya people. He declared that he and the BJP were directly against Miyas and stated that he openly encouraged everyone to trouble them. He also asked the media not to sympathise with them, claiming that otherwise “love jihad” would happen in their homes.