In the charged atmosphere of India’s 2025 Bihar election results, a seemingly innocuous X post by Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal has ignited a firestorm of criticism, dredging up painful memories of the 1989 Bhagalpur riots. Posted on November 14, 2025—just as the NDA’s victory became clear—Singhal shared an image of a lush cauliflower field with the caption: “Bihar approves Gobi farming ✅”. What many saw as a harmless nod to agriculture, others interpreted as a veiled reference to the horrific “cauliflower burial” incident during the Bhagalpur massacres, where over 100 Muslim victims were allegedly buried and concealed under cauliflower fields.
As searches for Ashok Singhal controversy 2025 spike by over 300% on Google Trends in the last 48 hours, this guide dives deep into the row: the post’s context, public backlash from figures like Shashi Tharoor and Gaurav Gogoi, Singhal’s silence, and its broader implications for political discourse in India. From Singhal’s rise as a BJP stalwart to his past brushes with controversy, we’ve compiled verified facts—no speculation, just the timeline and reactions shaping this viral debate. If you’re seeking clarity on Ashok Singhal X post controversy, why it’s trending, and what it means for communal harmony, this is your one-stop resource.
Who Is Ashok Singhal? A Quick Profile of the Assam BJP Minister at the Center of the Storm
Ashok Singhal, born in 1969, is a seasoned BJP leader and two-term MLA from Dhekiajuli in Assam’s Sonitpur district. At 56, he embodies the party’s aggressive Hindutva edge in the Northeast, rising through RSS shakhas to become a key organizer in Assam’s BJP machinery. Elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in 2016 and re-elected in 2021, Singhal was inducted into the Himanta Biswa Sarma cabinet in 2022 as Minister for Health and Family Welfare, later adding the Irrigation portfolio.
A vocal advocate for Assamese nationalism intertwined with Hindu majoritarianism, Singhal has championed issues like anti-CAA protests (ironically, as BJP pivoted) and flood management in his constituency. His social media presence (@TheAshokSinghal) boasts over 50,000 followers, where he blends policy updates with pointed commentary. Critics, however, accuse him of stoking divisions—past rows include 2025 land disputes near Zubeen Kshetra and March 2025 remarks on traditional Bhaona performances, for which he issued a clarification and apology.
Singhal’s unapologetic style has made him a BJP loyalist but a lightning rod for opposition ire. As one X user noted amid the current row: “Ashok Singhal’s one post rattled the entire ecosystem.”
Key Milestones in Ashok Singhal’s Political Career
| Milestone | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entry into BJP | 2000s | RSS background; organized Northeast campaigns. |
| First Assembly Win | 2016 | Elected from Dhekiajuli; focused on health infrastructure. |
| Cabinet Induction | 2022 | Appointed Health Minister under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. |
| Re-election | 2021 | Retained seat amid Assam floods and COVID recovery. |
| Recent Apology | Mar 2025 | Clarified Bhaona remarks, denying intent to offend cultural traditions. |
The ‘Gobi Farming’ Post: What Did Ashok Singhal Say, and Why the Bihar Election Trigger?
The controversy erupted on November 14, 2025, as Bihar’s vote count confirmed an NDA sweep, with Nitish Kumar’s JD(U)-BJP alliance projected to secure a majority. At 2:30 PM IST, Singhal tweeted: “Bihar approves Gobi farming ✅” alongside a vibrant photo of cauliflower crops swaying in a field—likely sourced from stock imagery but eerily reminiscent of riot-era visuals.
Bihar approves Gobi farming ✅ pic.twitter.com/SubrTQ0Mu5
— Ashok Singhal (@TheAshokSinghal) November 14, 2025
To supporters, it was innocuous: a pun on “Gobi” (cauliflower in Hindi) celebrating Bihar’s agricultural subsidies under NDA schemes that boosted veggie farming and, allegedly, voter turnout. One defender commented: “Cauliflower is nutritious; this is about building a healthy India.” But the internet’s collective memory linked it to the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, where over 1,000 died (mostly Muslims) in Hindu-Muslim clashes sparked by a Ram Shila procession. Specifically, the Logain massacre saw 116 Muslims killed, their bodies dumped in fields and hidden under planted cauliflowers to evade detection—a detail immortalized in media as the “cauliflower burial case.”
This imagery has resurfaced in dark online memes, including during March 2025 Nagpur violence and a May 2025 Karnataka BJP post on Maoist killings. Posted amid election euphoria, Singhal’s tweet was seen by critics as glorifying communal violence to mock the opposition (RJD-Congress alliance, with strong Muslim support). As X user @yasirposts put it: “Ashok Singhal… is openly glorifying and calling for a repeat of the massacres of Muslims in Bhagalpur.”
Singhal has not deleted the post or issued a statement as of November 16, 2025, fueling speculation. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a November 13 cabinet briefing, distanced unrelated figures but defended direct critiques of Singhal.
Public Backlash: From X Outrage to High-Profile Condemnations
The post amassed over 10,000 views within hours, but backlash snowballed into a national debate on hate speech in politics. X erupted with accusations of “incitement to communal slaughter,” drawing responses from opposition leaders and civil society.
- Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP): Tagged in a viral thread, Tharoor condemned it as a “shocking new low,” stating: “As a proud Hindu… neither our faith nor our nationalism requires, justifies or condones such vulgarity.” He emphasized #InclusiveIndia, refusing joint statements but speaking personally.
- Gaurav Gogoi (Assam Congress President): Called it “vulgar and shameful,” linking it directly to the Logain massacre: “To invoke such a tragedy… shows how far some are willing to descend.”
- Sanjay Hegde (Senior Advocate): Labeled it “incitement,” urging: “You are violating your constitutional oaths and are unworthy of the high office.”
- Other Voices: Users like @Bishnu_j_ expressed shame: “What kind of pathetic public figure glorifies a massacre?” Assam Congress’s @SinghReetam tied it to Singhal’s “revenge” politics against Marwari communities.
Defenders were few, framing it as overreach: “People are unnecessarily seething; it’s about subsidies.” Yet, the row trended under #AshokSinghalControversy, amplifying calls for his resignation.
Timeline of the ‘Gobi Farming’ Controversy
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2025 (2:30 PM) | Singhal posts “Bihar approves Gobi farming” amid NDA win projections. |
| Nov 14 Evening | First links to Bhagalpur riots; X users flag “cauliflower burial.” |
| Nov 15 Morning | Tharoor, Gogoi condemn; #GobiFarming trends with 50K+ mentions. |
| Nov 16 Ongoing | Media coverage explodes; Singhal silent, CM Sarma defends indirectly. |
Broader Implications: Hate Speech, Elections, and BJP’s Northeast Playbook
This isn’t Singhal’s first brush—his March 2025 Bhaona comments drew apologies after cultural backlash. But the ‘Gobi’ post highlights a pattern: coded communal signaling post-elections, echoing 2024’s Maharashtra memes and 2025’s Nagpur posts. Critics argue it normalizes pogroms, eroding trust in BJP’s “Sabka Saath” rhetoric, especially in Muslim-heavy Bihar (17% population).
In Assam, it risks alienating minorities amid 2026 polls. Legal experts eye IPC Section 153A (promoting enmity), though enforcement is rare for ministers. As @scroll_in noted: “The image is widely associated with the Logain massacre.”
Disclaimer on Interpretations: While the post’s intent remains unconfirmed (Singhal hasn’t clarified), reports cite verified historical facts from the Bhagalpur riots. We report sourced reactions only; this article is informational and holds no liability for political opinions or outcomes.
Ashok Singhal ‘Gobi Farming’ Controversy FAQs: All Your Questions Answered (November 2025)
Q :- What did Ashok Singhal post on X in November 2025?
On November 14, 2025, Assam Minister Ashok Singhal tweeted a photo of a cauliflower field captioned “Bihar approves Gobi farming ✅”, coinciding with NDA’s Bihar election victory.
Q :- Why is Ashok Singhal’s post controversial?
Many interpreted “Gobi farming” as a reference to the 1989 Bhagalpur riots’ “cauliflower burial” case, where 116 Muslims were massacred and bodies hidden under cauliflower fields.
Q :- What is the Bhagalpur riots ‘cauliflower burial’ incident?
During the 1989 Bhagalpur riots (over 1,000 deaths), the Logain massacre saw 116 Muslims killed; perpetrators allegedly buried bodies in fields and planted cauliflowers to conceal them.
Q :- Has Ashok Singhal responded to the controversy?
As of November 16, 2025, Singhal has not commented, deleted the post, or issued a clarification on the alleged riot reference.
Q :- Who condemned Ashok Singhal’s post?
Shashi Tharoor called it a “shocking new low” and “vulgar”; Gaurav Gogoi labeled it “shameful”; Sanjay Hegde termed it “incitement to communal slaughter.”
Q :- What did Shashi Tharoor say about the post?
“As a proud Hindu… I condemn it,” Tharoor tweeted on November 16, 2025, stressing that Hinduism and nationalism don’t justify glorifying violence.
Q :- Is the post linked to Bihar elections 2025?
Yes—posted as NDA (BJP-JD(U)) won Bihar, critics say it mocked the opposition’s Muslim voters by invoking a anti-Muslim riot symbol.
Q :- What do supporters of the post claim?
Some defend it as a literal nod to Bihar’s NDA-backed cauliflower subsidies boosting farming and health, not riots.
Q :- Has this happened before with similar imagery?
Yes—cauliflower images appeared in March 2025 Nagpur violence posts and a May 2025 Karnataka BJP meme on Maoist killings.
Q :- What is Ashok Singhal’s political background?
A 56-year-old BJP MLA from Dhekiajuli, Assam; Health & Irrigation Minister since 2022; RSS roots and two-term legislator.
Q :- Did CM Himanta Biswa Sarma comment?
On November 13, 2025, Sarma said critics should confront Singhal directly and not drag in unrelated figures like Zubeen Garg.
Q :- Could Ashok Singhal face legal action?
Possible under IPC 153A (promoting enmity), but enforcement against ministers is rare; no FIR as of now.
Q :- How has X reacted overall?
Backlash dominates: #AshokSinghalControversy trended with 50K+ mentions; users called it “disgraceful” and “dehumanising.”
Q :- What other controversies involve Ashok Singhal?
March 2025: Apologized for Bhaona remarks; 2025 land row near Zubeen Kshetra involving tribal belt allegations.
Q :- Why is this post trending globally?
Searches up 300%+; highlights India’s communal fault lines, amplified by Bihar polls and opposition amplification.
Q :- What is the historical context of Bhagalpur riots?
1989 clashes killed 1,000+ (mostly Muslims); sparked by Ram Shila procession; led to commissions and convictions years later.
Q :- Has BJP distanced itself?
No official statement; Sarma’s indirect defense suggests internal support amid election highs.
Q :- How many views has the post gotten?
Over 10,000 in hours; viral threads tagging leaders pushed it to wider audiences.
Q :- What does ‘Gobi farming’ literally mean?
“Gobi” is Hindi for cauliflower; post may reference Bihar’s agricultural schemes under NDA.
Q :- Will this affect Assam politics?
Likely—Assam Congress demands apology; risks minority alienation before 2026 polls.
Q :- Where can I see the original post?
On X (@TheAshokSinghal); search “Bihar approves Gobi farming” for the November 14, 2025 tweet.
Q :- What lesson from this controversy?
Experts say it underscores need for social media guidelines for leaders to curb hate speech.
Final Thoughts: Will the ‘Gobi Farming’ Row Force Accountability in 2025 Politics?
Ashok Singhal’s post has transformed a Bihar triumph into a national reckoning on social media’s dark underbelly. As Tharoor urged, true nationalism rejects such “dehumanising views.” With no apology forthcoming, the pressure mounts—will BJP rein in its firebrands, or does this signal more polarized discourse ahead? Share your take: Was it a tasteless joke or deliberate dog-whistle? Comment below.
Last Updated: November 16, 2025 | For more on Indian politics, subscribe to our newsletter :- CelebCars.in
