Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, asserted on Thursday that "Bangladeshi Muslims" might make up as much as 40% of the state's population in the upcoming census.
The chief minister has claimed that the northeastern state has seen a demographic shift over the years, with a consistent rise in the number of Muslims of Bangladeshi descent.
"Assam will receive more bad news from the Census. On the fringes of a government event here, Sarma told reporters that the proportion of Muslims in Bangladesh will approach 40% of the state's overall population.
Sarma stated in July of last year that if the current growth rate persisted, the Muslim population in Assam will nearly equal the Hindu population by 2041.
Out of a total population of 3.12 crore, Assam had 1.07 crore Muslims (34.22%) and 1.92 crore Hindus (61.47%), according to the 2011 Census.
The national Census 2027 will be carried out in two stages: a housing census and houselisting from April to September 2026, followed by a population count in February 2027. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the drill, which was initially planned for 2021, to be postponed.
Sarma added that during the state's ongoing Special Revision of electoral registers, all BJP MLAs and booth-level agents (BLAs) have been asked to flag "any doubtful person".
"We will attempt to eliminate any dubious Miya Muslim ballots. "I have directed all MLAs and BLAs to report any suspicious individuals and file complaints using the appropriate procedure," he stated.
"If Congress or any party thinks that eligible names have not been included, they can approach the authorities," Sarma said, denying the opposition's claim that the names of non-BJP supporters were being removed from the voter list.
However, the procedure involves filing the necessary documents (for inclusion/exclusion of names in electoral rolls) rather than holding a news conference.
He also made fun of the Congress, saying, "Except for the illegal Bangladeshis, which indigenous person will vote for Congress?" and asserting that the party is no longer relevant in the state.
Sarma declared, "I don't see them working in the field," asserting that the opposition will have no influence in the Assembly elections, which are scheduled for March and April.
We spent day and night in the field when we were in the opposition. They've already raised their arms." Sarma stated that a decision regarding the BJP's plans for seat-sharing in the state elections will be made by February 15.
