"Why talking about construction of mandir is seen as communal-why only temple? We are Hindu, we will be Hindu. As a Hindu I am more secular than all the secular," Sarma was quoted as saying.

In July this year, Sarma had said that Hindutva is a way of life and claimed that adherents of most religions are descendants of Hindus. "Hindutva began 5,000 years ago and it cannot be stopped," he had said.

The Assam chief minister also said that he wanted all madarsas (Islamic seminaries) to be shut in Assam. "I am trying to get more doctors and engineers to come from the Muslim community," he said.

Speaking on the issue of ‘Love Jihad’, Sarma said that while he had reservations about the term, nobody will be allowed to cheat a woman. "The government will not tolerate any woman being cheated by anyone - whether Hindu or Muslim. Appropriate action will be taken against such offenders to ensure the safety and security of our sisters," he was quoted as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)