Himanta Sarma Predicts Miya-Muslims Will Become Largest Community in Assam's Next Census

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has made a significant demographic prediction, stating that 'Miya-Muslims' (Bengali-speaking Muslims) will become the largest community in the state according to the next census results.

During a press briefing in Dibrugarh, Sarma declared, "When the next census is completed and the results are released, I can assure you that Miya-Muslims will constitute 38 percent of the state's population, making them the largest community. This represents the current reality of Assam."

The term 'Miya' has historically been used pejoratively to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, who are often identified by non-Bengali speakers as immigrants from Bangladesh. However, in recent years, some community activists have begun reclaiming this term as an act of defiance.

The Chief Minister expressed that the current demographic situation could have been prevented if the initiatives implemented during the past five years had been started three decades ago.

Sarma announced that his BJP-led government is taking measures to "protect our people" and will introduce two significant pieces of legislation in the upcoming Assembly session. He stated, "I won't elaborate on these now, but they will be designed to safeguard our 'jati, mati, bheti' (community, land, home)."

He further emphasized that "We must maintain pressure on the Miyas, and if sustained over time, the situation will improve."

Previously, the Chief Minister has claimed that indigenous communities in Assam are experiencing an 'invasion' from people of 'one religion,' who are allegedly encroaching on lands across different areas, thereby altering the demographic composition of these regions.

This concern was echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Assam last month, where he alleged that the state faces demographic challenges due to the Congress party's support of infiltrators for electoral gain and their illegal settlement in the region.