Guwahati, Dec 27: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday expressed concern over what he described as a steady rise in the population of Muslims of Bangladeshi origin in the state, warning that the trend could have far-reaching social and political consequences.
Referring to the 2011 Census, Sarma said Assam’s Muslim population stood at 34 per cent at the time. “If we exclude around three per cent Assamese Muslims, the population of Bangladeshi-origin Muslims was about 31 per cent,” he said. Pointing to the delay in the 2021 Census, the Chief Minister added that when updated data is released—expected around 2027—the proportion of Bangladeshi-origin Muslims could rise to nearly 40 per cent.
Warning of its political impact, Sarma said that if Assam loses its “jati, mati and bheti” (identity, land and roots), the presence of MPs or MLAs would be meaningless. “Once their population reaches 40 per cent, they will decide the outcome of every Assembly seat,” he said.
The Chief Minister alleged that a Congress spokesperson had already demanded 48 Assembly seats for Muslims and warned that such demands could eventually extend to seeking a Chief Minister from a particular community.
Claiming that the BJP has taken a firm stand in favour of indigenous people, Sarma said no previous government had carried out eviction drives on over 1.45 lakh bighas of land allegedly occupied by illegal immigrants. He also said earlier governments had never pushed back foreigners directly from the border.
“This is a fight for survival—either we remain, or they do,” Sarma said, alleging that many Assamese have been forced to leave their land over the past 75 years. He claimed that when eviction drives begin, people now vacate such areas on their own.
The Chief Minister further alleged that attempts are being made to create unrest in Assam after sensing that the BJP could return to power for a third term. “In this fight for civilisation, BJP is the only party standing firm,” he said.
Urging indigenous people and “Sanatanis” to support the BJP, Sarma claimed it was the only way to safeguard the future of the Assamese community.
His remarks come amid long-running debates in Assam over migration, identity and citizenship—issues that have shaped the state’s politics for decades and remain deeply polarising.
The Chief Minister also accused previous governments of promoting what he termed “false historical narratives” for political gain. “A narrative of ‘Shankar–Azan desh’ was created. We grew up hearing about Shankar–Madhav, but not Shankar–Azan,” Sarma said, referring to Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva and his foremost disciple Madhavadeva.
Clarifying his remarks, Sarma said that while Azan Faqir, a Sufi saint, is an important historical figure, “he was not associated with Sankardeva.” He further alleged that figures such as Lachit Barphukan had been incorrectly linked with lesser-known characters to construct narratives aimed at appeasing certain communities. “These associations do not find mention in historical records,” he said.
Sarma also alleged that Leftist forces continue to weaken society. “They keep praising the Nepal revolution while conveniently ignoring what followed. A revolution that fails to serve the people is no revolution at all,” he added.
Assam’s next census, following the delayed 2021 enumeration, is expected to provide updated demographic data and is likely to be closely scrutinised by policymakers, political parties and scholars assessing the state’s evolving socio-political landscape.
