Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday expressed deep concern over what he described as a sharp and continuing rise in the population of Muslims of Bangladeshi origin in the state, warning that the trend could dramatically reshape Assam’s social fabric, cultural identity and political future in the years ahead.
Speaking at a two-day BJP executive meeting in Guwahati, Sarma termed the issue a “serious demographic concern” and linked it to decades-old problems of illegal migration, identity erosion and unresolved citizenship questions. He said the matter was no longer merely political but had become existential for the state.
Citing data from the 2011 Census, Sarma said Muslims made up around 34 per cent of Assam’s population at the time. He claimed that if indigenous Assamese Muslims were excluded from this figure, those of Bangladeshi origin accounted for nearly 31 per cent of the population. According to him, the absence of a census in 2021 had delayed updated figures, but when the next census is released—likely in 2027—the proportion of Bangladeshi-origin Muslims could rise to nearly 40 per cent.
The chief minister warned that such a demographic shift could have far-reaching consequences. He alleged that earlier governments had failed to address the issue and instead promoted what he described as “manufactured historical narratives” aimed at appeasing certain communities for political gain.
Referring to Assam’s cultural and spiritual legacy, Sarma said that traditional icons such as Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva were being deliberately reinterpreted to suit political objectives. He argued that historical figures were being wrongly linked or reimagined, citing attempts to associate Azan Fakir with Sankardeva or connect Ahom general Lachit Barphukan with individuals who, according to him, had no documented historical relationship. He described these efforts as part of a broader attempt to rewrite history.
Projecting the upcoming Assembly elections as crucial for the state’s future, Sarma said the contest would not be about routine political promises but about safeguarding Assam’s “swadesh” and “swajati.” He told party workers that the BJP represented the final line of defence in preserving the state’s identity, land and cultural heritage, warning that failure to act now could push Assam into irreversible decline.
The chief minister also accused the Congress of enabling demographic changes through what he described as weak governance and divisive politics. He claimed this had resulted in the rise of what he termed “another civilisation,” estimating its population at nearly 1.5 crore.
Pointing to developments in neighbouring Bangladesh, Sarma said recent events there should serve as a warning. While some argue that all communities can coexist peacefully, he claimed that recent incidents showed an increasing tendency toward exclusivity, which Assam could not afford to ignore.
He further highlighted social tensions in various parts of the state, alleging that indigenous communities were being forced to sell land, migrate from rural areas, and gradually lose demographic dominance. According to him, while the population share of indigenous groups has steadily declined, the number of alleged illegal immigrants has grown sharply over the decades.
Earlier this month, during an appearance on the Agenda AajTak programme, Sarma had issued an even stronger warning, describing the situation as a “demographic invasion.” He claimed that if the Muslim population crossed the 50 per cent mark in Assam, other communities would be wiped out demographically. “If they become the majority, others will not survive,” he had said.
His latest remarks coincided with the Election Commission of India’s release of the draft Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The updated list showed Assam with 2.51 crore registered voters, after the removal of 10.56 lakh names. The list also excluded more than 93,000 “D-Voters,” whose citizenship status remains disputed and who are currently barred from voting.
Together, these developments have intensified the political climate in Assam, with the chief minister framing the upcoming elections as a decisive moment in determining the state’s demographic and cultural future.
