GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that Muslims can no longer be considered a minority community as they account for 35 percent of the total population in the State.
CM Sarma made this statement while replying to a debate on Assam Governor's speech in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, March 15. The Assam CM said that Muslims form the largest community in the State with 35 percent representation and it is their responsibility to ensure communal harmony in Assam.
"Today maximum people from Muslim community are MLAs and leaders in opposition. And, power comes with responsibility and it is our duty to ensure that rights of tribal people, the culture of Assam should be protected and their lands are not encroached upon. This is our motherland," CM Sarma said.
He further stated, "Muslim population consists 35 percent of the total population of the State. There is no need to encroach on the lands of tribal people residing in the sixth scheduled area. If Das, Kalita Barman, Gogoi, Chutia have not settled on their lands. Islam and Rahman must also refrain from settling in those lands."
The Assam CM in his reply also said that Muslims must leave the Miya culture and should start talking about Satriya culture, Sukaphaa and Lachit Borphukan.
"There are many problems in the State, maternal mortality, no land, etc. Why are they not doing their duty, why are they trying to create problems in the State, why they have needed Madrassa education. If positive things will come from the Muslim community which has now become a majority, then problems will be resolved," CM Sarma said.
Reacting to Himanta Biswa Sarma's, AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam said the Assam CM is attempting to polarise the people of Assam by making such statements.
"According to Assam Chief Minister, the Muslims has become a threat to the other non-Muslim people of Assam, but it is his hidden agenda of politics. The growth of population Muslims is declining day by day. If the government has a clear intention to control the population among Muslims and other communities, their only duty is to impart quality education in these areas. So we request the Chief Minister to not politicise the matter, he should work with full-heartedly to impart education in all the Muslim community in Char-Chapori and backwards areas, so they may be aware themselves," Aminul Islam said.
(With all inputs from ANI)
