Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has once again stirred controversy with remarks regarding the state’s Muslim population. Speaking at a government program, he claimed that names of “suspected infiltrators” would be removed from the voter list and warned that the upcoming census would bring alarming demographic changes.
Population Projections
According to CM Sarma, Bangladeshi Muslims could account for nearly 40% of Assam’s total population in the next national census. Highlighting a demographic shift over the past few decades, Sarma expressed concern about the rising numbers of Muslims of Bangladeshi origin in the northeastern state.
He has previously encouraged measures to counter this growth, including advocating for Hindus to have more children to maintain demographic balance. In July last year, Sarma had predicted that if the current growth trend continues, the Muslim population in Assam could become nearly equal to that of Hindus by 2041.
Census Data and Concerns
The 2011 census recorded Assam’s total population at 3.12 crore, of which 1.07 crore (34.22%) were Muslims and 1.92 crore (61.47%) were Hindus. The CM warned that the next census would bring “even worse news” for the state, with the Bangladeshi-origin Muslim population potentially rising to 40% of Assam’s population.
Sarma’s remarks come ahead of assembly elections in Assam and other states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, where demographic concerns have become a significant political talking point.
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