Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, caused a stir on Saturday when he expressed worry over the state's increasing Muslim population of Bangladeshi descent.
This issue was brought up by Chief Minister Sarma during the two-day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government executive in Guwahati.
According to the 2011 census, 34% of Assamese people were Muslims, Sarma stated. Thirty-one percent of Assamese Muslims were of Bangladeshi descent.
According to the 2011 census, 34% of Assamese people were Muslims, Sarma stated. Thirty-one percent of Assamese Muslims were of Bangladeshi descent.
"In 2021, there was no census. Muslims of Bangladeshi descent will make up almost 40% of the population when the census results are released in 2027, he continued.
Sarma's comments highlight the current political and social discourse in Assam around citizenship, migration, and identity, especially in light of previous disputes involving unauthorized immigration from Bangladesh.
Divergent opinions on the demographic shift's social and political ramifications have sparked a protracted debate in the state.
"The former government in Assam built a false narrative by claiming Shankar-Azan Desh. During the two-day BJP event, Sarma stated, "We have heard about Shankar-Madhav from our childhood but not about Shankar-Azan, but a false narrative has been created."
"We were coerced into believing this by fabricating a story. Shankardeva's pupil was Madhavadeva. Shankardeva was not with Azan Faqir.
"We were coerced into believing this by fabricating a story. Shankardeva's pupil was Madhavadeva. Shankardeva was not with Azan Faqir.
Although Bag Hazarika is not mentioned in the history, Lachit Barphukan has also been connected to it. The chief minister added, "The previous government attempted to fabricate a story to placate the other groups.
Sarma's comments coincide with the anticipated release of Assam's next census data, which will provide updated population estimates following the postponed 2021 enumeration.
Policymakers and analysts who are interested in the socio-political dynamics of the region are likely to closely monitor this data.
