Assam minister's 'cauliflower' post on NDA's Bihar win ignites controversy
What's the story
A post by Assam Minister Ashok Singhal has sparked controversy after he celebrated the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s victory in Bihar with a "cauliflower" reference. The post was seen as a nod to the 1989 Bhagalpur massacre, where Muslims were killed and their bodies buried under farmland planted with cauliflowers, NDTV reported. The image used in Singhal's post was an apparent reference to this incident.
Political backlash
Singhal's post draws criticism from Congress leaders
Singhal's post was criticized by several political leaders. Congress's Gaurav Gogoi called it "vulgar and shameful," linking it to the 1989 Bhagalpur violence where more than 1,000 Muslims were killed and their bodies hidden under cauliflowers. Another 50,000 were displaced in the violence. He slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for promoting such a mindset, saying, "Assam is the land of Mahapurush Sankardev, Lachit Borphukan, and Azaan Pir."
Party response
BJP's actions after Bihar election results
After the NDA's victory in Bihar, Singhal posted a second time on social media praising Union Home Minister Amit Shah for expanding the NDA's social base through community outreach and empowerment of women and youth. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde also slammed Singhal's post, calling it "incitement to communal slaughter." He said that such statements violate constitutional oaths and are unworthy of high office. Despite facing backlash, Singhal has neither deleted nor modified his controversial post.
Twitter Post
Twitter Post
Bihar approves Gobi farming ✅ pic.twitter.com/SubrTQ0Mu5
— Ashok Singhal (@TheAshokSinghal) November 14, 2025