Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Assam Minister's 'Gobi Farming' Tweet Sparks Outrage, References Bhagalpur Riots
A government minister in Assam posted a tweet that celebrated the election results in Bihar by talking about 'gobi farming.'
This phrase is not about growing cauliflower but refers to a terrible event from 1989 in Bhagalpur, India.
During that time, horrible riots happened, and in one village, over a hundred Muslim men were killed, and their bodies were buried under a cauliflower field to hide what happened.
People were very angry about the minister's tweet because they felt it was a disrespectful and hateful way to celebrate a political win.
They said using this imagery was vulgar and showed a new low in how politicians talk to each other.
This kind of reference has also been used by the same political party at other times.
Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal tweeted 'Bihar approves Gobi farming' to celebrate the NDA's Bihar election win, referencing the 1989 Bhagalpur riots.
The phrase 'Gobi farming' is a coded reference to the Logain massacre, where over 100 Muslim men were killed and buried under a cauliflower field.
Politicians from various parties, including Congress and TMC, condemned Singhal's tweet as vulgar, shameful, and a new low in political discourse.
Similar 'Gobi farming' imagery was reportedly used during Nagpur violence in March and by the Karnataka BJP in May.
The 1989 Bhagalpur riots lasted over a month, spread to 200 villages, and resulted in the deaths of at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims.
- Who
- Ashok Singhal, Assam's Health Minister
- What
- Posted a tweet with the phrase 'Gobi farming' (cauliflower farming) to celebrate NDA's victory in Bihar elections, which is a coded reference to the 1989 Bhagalpur riots and the Logain massacre.
- When
- November 14, 2025 (tweet date); August-October 1989 (Bhagalpur riots)
- Where
- Assam (Minister's location); Bihar (election results and riots location)
- Why
- To celebrate the NDA's victory in the Bihar elections.
Critics of the tweet
Context/Defense of tweet
Meaning of 'Gobi Farming'
Critics of the tweet
A vulgar and shameful dog whistle referencing the Logain massacre of Muslims in the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, where bodies were buried under a cauliflower field.
Context/Defense of tweet
A coded reference to the Logain massacre during the 1989 Bhagalpur riots.
Use of imagery
Critics of the tweet
Represents a shocking new low in political discourse and is an inappropriate glorification of mass killings.
Context/Defense of tweet
The tweet did not explicitly state a defense, but the context implies it was a celebration of the NDA's victory in Bihar.
Responsibility
Critics of the tweet
Implies approval from the Prime Minister's Office and the BJP.
Context/Defense of tweet
The article notes that similar imagery was used by Karnataka BJP in May and during Nagpur violence in March, suggesting a pattern of use by the party.
- Tweet Date
- November 14, 2025
- Bhagalpur Riots Period
- August 12-22, 1989 (initial tensions), officially started October 24, 1989
- Duration of Riots
- Over a month
- Villages Affected
- 200
- Estimated Deaths in Bhagalpur Riots
- At least 1,000 people
- Logain Massacre Victims
- Over 100 Muslim men (115 bodies reported by PUCL, 116 killed in the case for which life sentences were handed out)
- Life Sentences for Logain Massacre
- Fourteen people in 2007
