Assamese Hindus Now Around 40 Per Cent Of State Population: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday (12 October) claimed that Assamese Hindus now constitute only about 40 per cent of the state’s population, roughly equal to the Muslim population.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme, Sarma highlighted a significant shift in the state’s demographic composition and described the Centre’s proposed Demography Mission as a “significant step” toward addressing the issue.

"Assam has been a big victim of demographic change. In 2021, the Muslim population crossed 38 per cent, and as we speak, it is about 39.5 per cent of the state population," he said.

He further pointed out that districts like Majuli, known for Vaishnavite culture and as the world’s largest inhabited river island, have seen a 100 per cent growth in the Muslim population.

However, Sarma clarified that this increase was not due to natural growth among local Muslims but because of “infiltrators.”

He added that the Christian population stands at around 6–7 per cent and noted, "if people from other parts and communities are excluded, Assamese Hindus are not more than 40 per cent today.

These figures are based on projections over the 2011 Census data. We are concerned about the situation."

Sarma said the Demography Mission, announced by PM Narendra Modi on Independence Day, marks the first concrete step to address the matter.

Citing Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he added, "The rise in the Muslim population was not just due to internal growth but also due to people coming from outside."

He explained that a high-powered committee under the mission will work “to detect, delete, and deport infiltrators” and noted, "It is for the first time that the government of India has spoken in such clear terms."

Sarma also claimed that Bengali-speaking Muslims, often referred to as ‘Miya-Muslims’, are projected to emerge as the largest community in the next census, comprising more than 38 per cent of the population.

Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google.

Also Read: Inside Assam's Civilisational War: The Untold Heroes Of Himanta's Land Reclamation Campaign