The CM said that Muslims constitute 35 per cent of the population of Assam and cannot be called a minority.
Guwahati:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said in another statement that Muslims constitute 35 per cent of Assam’s population and can no longer be considered a ‘minority’.
Speaking during a debate on the Governor’s address to the budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Mr. Sarma said, “Today the people of the Muslim community are the leaders in the opposition, MLAs and they have equal opportunity and power. So it is their duty to ensure that that the rights of the tribal people are protected and their land is not encroached upon. There is no need to encroach upon the land of the tribals living in the Sixth Schedule area. If Bora and Kalita (Assamese surname) encroached upon those lands Islam and Rahman (Muslim surnames) should also refrain from settling in those lands.”
The chief minister further said that “power comes with responsibility” and since Muslims constitute 35 per cent of Assam’s population, “it is their duty to protect minorities here”.
“The people of Assam are in fear. There is fear that culture and civilization will be protected. Harmony is a two-way traffic. Let the Muslims talk about the preservation of Shankari culture, Sattriya culture… there will be harmony. Ten years ago, We were not a minority but are now,” Mr Sarma said.
Drawing parallels with Kashmiri Hindus, who were forced to flee their homes, Mr. Sarma said, “People ask me whether the people of Assam will have the same fate as Kashmiri Pandits. Ten years later, will they? Assam will be as shown in Bollywood. The film ‘The Kashmir Files’? It is the duty of Muslims to allay our fears. Muslims should behave like majority and assure us that Kashmir will not repeat here.”