Dec. 13:
The BJP government in Assam has recently approved a socio-economic survey aimed at assessing the indigenous Muslim population residing in the state. This important decision comes after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government officially recognized five communities as “indigenous Assamese Muslims” a year and a half ago.
The responsibility of conducting the socio-economic assessment of these “indigenous” Muslim communities will be entrusted to the Directorate of Minority Affairs and Char Areas, formerly known as the Directorate of Char Areas Development, as stated in a cabinet note.
According to the 2011 Census, more than 34% of Assam’s population identifies as Muslim, making it the third largest among all Union Territories and states, following Jammu and Kashmir and Lakshadweep. With a total population of 31 million in the state, over 10 million are Muslims. However, out of these, only around 4 million are Assamese-speaking native Muslims, while the rest are Bengali-speaking immigrants of Bangladeshi origin.
The announcement of plans for the socio-economic assessment of indigenous Muslim communities was made by the government of Assam in October, highlighting its commitment to the comprehensive socio-political and educational upliftment of the state’s indigenous minorities.
The classification of the Goria, Moria, Jolah (including those in tea gardens), and Desi and Syed communities as native Assamese Muslims in July last year was a response to the longstanding demand of these communities. The state government made this decision based on the recommendations of seven sub-committees that were formed earlier.
While the socio-economic survey is aimed to assist the state government in implementing measures to uplift and empower the recognized indigenous Muslim communities in Assam, it may be used to drive a wedge within the Assamese Muslim community and divide them into Bengali and Assamese vote banks.
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