Gaurav Gogoi raised questions in Lok Sabha on defence after marrying British citizen, says Himanta

Assam CM accuses Congress leader of sensitive defense matters post marriage to British citizen, sparking political controversy.

In an apparent attack on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (February 13, 2025) alleged that the MP raised questions in Parliament on sensitive defence matters after his marriage to a British citizen, a charge termed by the Opposition leader as a "false accusation".

Mr. Sarma's comment comes a day after the BJP had accused Mr. Gogoi's wife of having links with Pakistan and the ISI. The Deputy Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha rejected the allegation as "laughable and entertaining".

"In 2015, the Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Mr. Abdul Basit, invited a first-term Member of Parliament (MP) and his startup, Policy for Youth, to discuss India-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi," Mr. Sarma claimed in a post on X without naming Mr. Gogoi.

The Chief Minister also said, "Notably, this MP was not a member of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs at the time, raising questions about the intent behind his engagement." Mr. Sarma claimed that the visit occurred "despite India’s official protest against the Pakistani High Commission’s interference in internal matters, particularly its involvement with the Hurriyat Conference".

He also accused the MP of ignoring these concerns and taking 50 to 60 young Indians to meet Pakistani officials.

"A closer examination of his parliamentary questions revealed a growing focus on sensitive defence matters, including inquiries about Coast Guard radar installations, India’s arms factories, aeronautical defence, transit routes for trade with Iran, Kashmiri students, and alleged attacks on churches —marking a noticeable shift in his areas of interest.

"Interestingly, these developments occurred immediately after his marriage to a British citizen with a professional background that raises further questions," Mr. Sarma alleged.