Guwahati: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator and general secretary Rafiqul Islam has accused the BJP-led Assam government of excluding Muslims from key governance roles. Speaking to the media in Guwahati on August 16, Islam highlighted the absence of Muslim representation in the state’s leadership, noting that none of Assam’s 34 districts have Muslim Superintendents of Police (SPs) or Deputy Commissioners (DCs), despite the presence of Muslims in the IAS and IPS cadres.
Islam criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Independence Day speech as divisive, alleging it focused on instilling fear about “illegal intruders” rather than honoring freedom fighters or outlining governance achievements. He questioned the government’s narrative on infiltration, pointing out that the BJP has been in power for years, both at the state and central levels, yet claims of demographic changes persist without concrete action from the Border Security Force or state authorities.
Addressing Sarma’s remarks on Muslim education and child marriage, Islam rejected claims that Muslims gain unfair access to medical colleges, emphasizing that such narratives contradict accusations of educational backwardness. He acknowledged past social issues like child marriage but stressed their decline, advocating for unity and equal opportunities for all communities, including Hindus, tribals, and Muslims.
Islam called for an end to polarizing rhetoric, urging the government to focus on inclusive development and employment. With Muslims constituting nearly 35% of Assam’s population, he emphasized the need for equitable representation in governance.
