Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that the Miya Muslim community might become the largest group in the state in the next census if current population trends continue. Speaking at a public event, Sarma said high birth rates among Miya Muslims, who are of Bengali origin, could alter Assam’s social and political balance.
He stated that such demographic shifts would affect indigenous communities and urged population control within groups showing higher fertility rates. Sarma linked population growth to cultural preservation, arguing that unchecked increases among specific sections could marginalize others in the state.
The Chief Minister’s comments come amid a broader political narrative in Assam that associates demographic changes with migration and cultural identity. The Miya community, which has long been part of Assam’s population, often faces stereotyping and social discrimination.
Opposition parties and rights groups condemned Sarma’s remarks. They said his comments targeted a minority community and risked deepening communal divides. Critics accused the government of using demographic fears to influence public opinion before elections.
Assam has a complex demographic structure with both indigenous and migrant-origin communities. According to previous census data, Muslims make up around one-third of the state’s population, with varying growth rates among different groups. Sarma’s remarks signal that population and identity politics will continue to shape Assam’s political debate.
