Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern on Wednesday over the changing demographics in the state, particularly highlighting the significant increase in the Muslim population.
Sarma stressed that this issue is not political for him but a matter of life and death.
Changing demography is a big issue for me. In Assam, the Muslim population has reached 40 percent today. In 1951, it was 12 percent, Himanta Biswa Sarma was quoted
He added, We have lost many districts. This is not a political issue for me. It is a matter of life and death for me.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi reacted sharply, accusing Sarma of suffering from amnesia.
Gogoi pointed out that just two months ago, Sarma was seen dancing and singing in minority-dominated areas of Assam during the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.
He criticized Sarma, noting that it was not a matter of life and death when Sarma was seeking votes for the BJP.
This is not the first time Sarma has voiced concerns about the population increase, particularly among the Muslim community.
In June 2021, soon after forming the government in the state, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, Population explosion is the root cause of economic disparities and poverty among minority Muslims in Assam.
He had announced plans to raise awareness about population control and distribute contraceptives in Muslim-majority areas of the state.
Last year, the Assam government stated it would conduct a socio-economic survey of the states five indigenous Muslim communities to implement measures for their upliftment.
The Assam Chief Minister has also addressed the issue of illegal immigrants and taken action against encroachment in the state.
In March, following the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, Himanta Biswa Sarma set conditions for recognizing Bengali-speaking Bangladeshi Muslims, known as Miya, as indigenous people in Assam.
Sarma specified that for the Miya community to gain recognition in the state, they must adhere to certain cultural practices and norms.
These include limiting family size to two children, refraining from polygamy, and preventing the marriage of minor daughters.
