Assam’s 15 districts have now become Muslim-majority: Dy Speaker

Amid ongoing debates about demographic shifts in Hindu-majority constituencies across Assam, the state’s Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker, Dr. Numal Momin, has claimed that 15 districts in Assam have now become Muslim-majority, raising alarm over what he alleges is a “tactical infiltration” intended to alter the state’s demographic character.

“As of now, 15 districts have become Muslim majority. At the time of independence, there was not a single district with a Muslim majority. It is a very alarming situation in Assam,” Dr. Momin said in an interview. Assam currently comprises 35 districts.

He further accused the Congress party of having a deliberate agenda behind this change. “Their (Congress’s) motto, motive and vision were to destroy Assam and make Assam an Islamic state.”

Citing examples from his own childhood, Dr. Momin referred to demographic changes in his neighboring district of Golaghat. “Very scientifically and tactically, infiltration is going on from Lower Assam to Middle Assam and Upper Assam. When I was a child… Sarupathar had only 60-70 Muslim houses. Now the figure has gone up to 6000-7000 households. This simple example is very much evidence that Muslims are migrating slowly… It is not only demographic changes, but also a serious threat to the Indigenous Assamese people in Assam,” he claimed.

He also mentioned that the issue has drawn the concern of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “Not only is it a matter of concern for the Chief Minister, but it is also a matter of concern for every Assamese and Indigenous people. Now it is high time to act against that conspiracy under which scientifically and tactically destroying the Assamese people, culture and its heritage,” Momin added.

Praising the government’s land eviction drives, he emphasized the need for more aggressive actions. “The people who are living in that particular area they grabbed the lands, and tactically, they are buying the lands from Indigenous people… Out of fear, the Indigenous people sold their lands and ran away from that area.”

He argued that the BJP government is now offering protection to Indigenous communities. “The Indigenous people are getting security under this government… Assam can be saved from the infiltrators, invaders, and Assam can be peaceful and prosper politically, economically, and educationally… Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma is the answer to the burning issues of Assam.”

Taking direct aim at the Congress, he criticized its alleged inaction during its time in power. “The Satras land, religious places, lands which doubtful citizens occupied… the Congress government was there, but they never took action against them… That directly indicates that the Congress is involved in and encouraging these activities by doubtful citizens.”

He also alleged links between Congress and minority organizations. “We have the evidence that the Congress is supporting the fundamental groups like Jamiyat and AAMSU… One of the MLAs of Congress openly said that, if Congress don’t do these activities directly, they will give financial help to do those activities through AAMSU and Jamiyat.”

Momin claimed that these alleged actions were intended to undermine Assam’s Indigenous identity. “They are doing this for what, to kill the Indigenous people, destroy our culture and heritage, to grab the lands of Satras, religious places… AAMSU is vocal against the Indigenous people of Assam, and they want to infiltrate more and more Bangladeshis, so that one day they can become the majority and have their own Chief Minister. But their dream will never come true. We, the Assamese people, will fight and protect the Indigenous people.”

He concluded by contrasting the current BJP-led government with the previous Congress regime in terms of land rights. “After 2016, under the BJP government, more than 12 lakh Indigenous people got land pattas, land rights… But during the Congress time, they didn’t provide land pattas to the Indigenous people so that immigrant people would come and grab their lands… The Indigenous people are very much comfortable in Assam.”