Debate Needed Over Demographic Change Concerning Hindus And Muslims In Assam: CM Himanta

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said a debate was needed over the demographic change concerning Hindus and Muslims in the state.

Sarma asserted that demographic changes were happening fast in some parts like the Lower Assam districts, and it could lead to “unprecedented human disaster.”

"The Hindu-Muslim issue is the most burning issue in the state today; we need to debate and resolve it," Sarma said in the assembly, responding to a resolution on demographic change in particular districts.

“There has to be reconciliation and discussions have to take place… as home minister, I will not allow communal problems. The way I am speaking out, I don’t know how much time I have. But I will speak the truth,” he asserted.

He also claimed that no communal riots took place during the BJP regimes nor under the AGP or Janata Party governments in the state, but “only when Congress” was in power.

Sarma said demographic changes in the state has become a “very complex issue”, as he shared census data of Hindu and Muslim population since 1951 to 2011, which showed that Muslims formed 34 per cent of the state’s population in 2011 against 24 per cent in 1951.

“Demographic change is happening at such a speed in Lower Assam that it is leading to an unprecedented human disaster. Hindus have lost their lands and rights. Villages with Hindu names have no Hindu residents any longer," he claimed.

He said a document is under preparation, which will have details of the demographic changes at the polling booth-level, including Hindu-Muslim voters ratio in 2011 and 2021, and projected ratio for 2031.

It will show that even in places with schools and hospitals, rate of increase in population of Muslims has been high, he said, refuting statements of opposition benches that illiteracy and backwardness were primary reasons for high population growth among the community.

The CM said while birth and death rates were important factors in population growth rate, another crucial aspect with regard to demographic change was the issue of Hindus migrating from areas with ‘Miya’ Muslim majority.

‘Miya' is a pejorative term used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam.

“Hindus are leaving ‘Miya’ Muslim areas from Lower and Central Assam areas. I have anaylsed at micro-level the reasons for migration and how they are instigated,” Sarma said, adding that he will list out the reasons at a later date.

As Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed claimed that 40 Hindu families were given protection in his Baghbar constituency, Sarma said, “In a place like Barpeta (site of Vaishnavite learning), you are flaunting that 40 Hindus families are being given protection. Such has the situation come to for the Assamese people.” “Sherman is in guest appearance in the assembly. I request quick disposal of his disqualification petition,” he said, referring to the Congress having already written to the Speaker seeking disqualification of their MLA for “anti-party activities”.

With opposition MLAs raising objections to the CM’s statements and creating noisy scenes, Sarma said, “I will give my reply, even if it is at 2 am and I am all alone… I am speaking for the future of the state and I will put it on record.” He claimed that Muslims are not migrating from any part of the state where Hindus are in majority, though Hindus are having to leave parts with ‘Miya’ Muslim majority.

In districts like Dhubri, South Salmara, Morigaon, Mangaldai, Hindus are leaving, but Muslim population is increasing in Golaghat, Kamrup, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur, he said.

“Muslim leaders have to see why Hindus are welcoming them, but Muslims are not returning the gesture to the Hindus,” he said, urging the MLAs of the community to play a proactive role in this regard.

“No Muslims are facing harassment in Hindu-majority areas. But I have proof of Hindus facing problems in ‘Miya’-dominated areas,” he said.

Sarma also urged the Muslim legislators to play their part in curbing social evils like child marriage in their community. “If as a Hindu I can understand the pain of the Muslim underage girls, why can’t the Muslim MLAs feel the pain of their own girls?” Another matter of concern for the state is migrants entering from Bangladesh following closing down of the textile industry there, he said.

“Rohingyas are entering through Tripura. This trend was not there for last three years… it has happened over last three-four months,” Sarma said, adding that infiltrators were being pushed back by the police and BSF.

Sarma also said his government will bring a law in April that will ensure marriages take place in a “dignified manner”.

He said youngsters should not take the path of eloping even if they are of different religions, but approach their families for a proper marriage, nor should they be allowed to fall victim to impersonation on social media during courtship.

"For a steady family, a dignified marriage is a must. We will bring a law in this regard in April," he said, without elaborating.

(with PTI inputs)