Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Assam Minister's 'Gobi Farming' Post Sparks Row Over Bhagalpur Riots Reference
A politician in India, Ashok Singhal, posted a picture of cauliflower plants on social media after his party won an election in a state called Bihar.
He wrote, 'Bihar approves Gobi farming.'
Many people were very upset because they think this was a cruel joke.
They believe the cauliflower picture reminds them of a terrible event in 1989 in Bihar where many people were killed, and their bodies were reportedly buried in a field where cauliflower was later grown to hide what happened.
Critics say this post is hateful and disrespectful to the victims.
Even a famous politician named Shashi Tharoor said that such violence is never okay, and it's not part of their religion or patriotism.
The minister has not taken down his post.
Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal posted a picture of cauliflower farming with the caption 'Bihar approves Gobi farming' after the NDA's win in Bihar.
Critics allege the post references the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, where victims were reportedly buried under cauliflower plantations to conceal bodies.
Opposition leaders and social media users have condemned the post as vulgar, shameful, and an incitement to communal violence.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the tweet, stating that neither Hinduism nor nationalism justifies such violence.
The minister has not deleted or altered his post despite widespread criticism.
- Who
- Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, TMC MP Saket Gokhale, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
- What
- Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal's tweet featuring 'Gobi farming' and a cauliflower image, posted after the NDA's win in Bihar, has ignited controversy due to its perceived reference to the 1989 Bhagalpur communal riots.
- When
- Friday, November 14, 2025, and subsequent days.
- Where
- The tweet was posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The controversy relates to the context of the Bihar election results and the historical event in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
- Why
- The tweet is interpreted by critics as a celebration and glorification of the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, where victims were allegedly buried under cauliflower fields. Critics view it as a shameful and vulgar reference to a massacre and a new low in political discourse.
Critics of the Tweet
Assam Minister Ashok Singhal's Tweet
Interpretation and Intent of the Tweet
Critics of the Tweet
Critics interpret Assam Minister Ashok Singhal's tweet about 'Gobi farming' and a cauliflower image as a vulgar, shameful, and glorification of the 1989 Bhagalpur riots and the massacre of Muslims. They allege the image is associated with bodies being concealed under cauliflower plantations and view it as a celebration of the NDA's election victory in Bihar. They question Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the matter.
Assam Minister Ashok Singhal's Tweet
Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal posted a tweet on X featuring an image of cauliflower farming with the caption 'Bihar approves Gobi farming' following the NDA's victory in the Bihar assembly polls. The minister has not deleted or altered the post despite the backlash.
Context and Historical Reference
Critics of the Tweet
Gaurav Gogoi stated the 'gobi farming' imagery is widely associated with the Logain massacre of 1989, where 116 Muslims were killed and their bodies concealed under cauliflower plantations during the Bhagalpur violence. Saket Gokhale echoed this, stating 'Gobi farming' refers to glorifying the mass killing of Muslims in Bhagalpur, Bihar, in 1989, with a cauliflower farm planted on the graves to hide evidence.
Assam Minister Ashok Singhal's Tweet
The article does not contain a direct statement from Assam Minister Ashok Singhal defending his tweet or explaining the intent behind the 'Gobi farming' imagery.
Nationalism and Religious Justification
Critics of the Tweet
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the tweet, stating that neither Hinduism nor nationalism justifies or condones such massacres, let alone applauds them. He emphasized his stance as an advocate of an 'Inclusive India' and a proud Hindu.
Assam Minister Ashok Singhal's Tweet
The article does not contain a direct statement from Assam Minister Ashok Singhal addressing the religious or nationalist implications of his tweet.
- Minister
- Ashok Singhal (Assam Cabinet Minister)
- Tweet Content
- Image of cauliflower farming with the caption 'Bihar approves Gobi farming'.
- Platform
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Timing
- Friday afternoon, following the NDA's victory in Bihar assembly polls.
- Alleged Historical Reference
- 1989 Bhagalpur communal riots/Logain massacre in Bihar, where victims were allegedly killed and their bodies buried under cauliflower plantations to conceal evidence.
- Notable Critics
- Gaurav Gogoi (Congress MP), Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP), Saket Gokhale (TMC MP).
- Number of Victims Mentioned
- 116 Muslims
Sources
Assam minister’s ‘cauliflower farming’ post during Bihar vote count triggers row
Use of 'gobi farming' imagery by Assam minister draws opposition ire
Use of 'Gobi Farming' Imagery by Assam Minister Draws Opposition Ire
Tharoor condemns Assam minister's controversial 'Gobi farming' post
Assam Minister's "Cauliflower" Post On NDA's Bihar Win Sparks Huge Row
'Bihar Approves Gobi Farming': What Shashi Tharoor Said on Assam Minister's Controversial Post
