Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, issued a warning on Thursday about what he called a "demographic invasion" in the state, claiming that if the Muslim population in Assam surpasses 50%, other communities will be "finished."
Speaking at the Agenda AajTak event, Sarma claimed that decades of unrestrained migration have left the indigenous Assamese community in an existential dilemma.
According to Sarma's statistical forecasts, Assam's Muslim population, which was anticipated to be approximately 38% in 2021, could reach 40% by 2027 because of a steady decadal growth rate of 4-5% since 1961. He cautioned that others would leave if the percentage of Muslims exceeded fifty percent. They'll be the only ones left.
The chief minister claimed that ideological disagreements rather than government initiatives are the reason why Muslims, particularly those he called "Miya Muslims," do not support him.
He related an incident in which a Muslim man promised to donate a kidney if necessary, but he would not vote for him. Sarma stated, "This demonstrates that votes are for ideology, not schemes."
According to Sarma, identity politics in Assam is a "compulsion for survival" rather than an option. He cited demographic data to support his claim that while the indigenous population has stayed at about 70 lakh, Assam's population has increased from 80 lakh in 1951 to 3.1 crore now.
"The remaining 2.4 crore are migrants," he asserted, adding that Assam's land, resources, language, and cultural legacy are under risk due to this demographic pressure.
Sarma cited historical movements, stating that worries about illegal immigration from Bangladesh were the driving force behind the 1979-85 Assam Agitation and the 1985 Assam Accord that followed. "We are still fighting for its implementation even after 40 years," he stated.
He asserted that Muslim voters would not back him even if he made an offer of Rs 1 lakh. "A significant portion of our Miya Muslim population in Assam will not vote for me," he declared. Sarma said that one of the reasons he thinks Muslim voters do not support him is that he does not pretend to work "for them."
Sarma reaffirmed his position on illegal immigration, stating that it is his constitutional duty to take action against those who into the country illegally.
He said that almost 10 lakh acres of forest area had been invaded by some "Miya Muslims." He claims that the community's political opposition has grown as a result of government operations against such encroachments.
Sarma claimed to have "very good relations with Miya Muslims and women in the state" despite his harsh comments. He went on to say that his government would still prevail even if Muslim voters choose the Congress. But he claimed that individuals who are "not Assamese and not Indians" are "not his people."
