Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says that Muslims constitute 35 per cent of the population of the state of Assam and they can no longer be considered a minority in this northeastern state. He also referred to the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in 1990 and said it is the “duty of Muslims” in the state to allay the fears of other communities.
Speaking during a debate on the Governor’s address in the budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Sarma said, “Today the people of the Muslim community are the leaders in the opposition, MLAs and they have equal opportunity and power. Therefore, it is their duty to ensure that That the rights of the tribal people should be protected and their land should not be encroached upon.”
He said, “There is no need to encroach upon the lands of the tribals living in the Sixth Schedule area. If Bora and Kalita (Assamese surname) have not settled on those lands, then Islam and Rahman (Muslim surname) should also be included in those lands. Refrain from settling.”
The chief minister further said that “power comes with responsibility” and since Muslims constitute 35 per cent of Assam’s population, “it is their duty to protect minorities here”.
He said, “People of Assam are in fear. Let the Muslims talk about the preservation of Shankari culture, Sattriya culture… only then will there be harmony. Ten years ago, we were not a minority but now we are.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed in the Assembly on Tuesday that the Muslim community has become the largest population in the state and they should start behaving as a majority community.
Sarma also put the onus of ensuring communal harmony on the Muslim community, especially the people of Bengali speaking origin, saying that even the indigenous Muslims of Assam are afraid of losing their identity. The Chief Minister said that there was evidence in support of his claim but did not present it in the House.
Sarma said, “The minorities have now become the majority. They constitute 30-35 per cent of the state’s population… with a population of one crore, they are now the largest community and it is their responsibility to ensure communal harmony.”