Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has drawn strong concern after warning that other communities would not survive if Muslims form more than 50 percent of the state’s population. He made this statement during a public event in New Delhi and tied it to what he described as a demographic invasion in Assam. His remarks have raised questions about political messaging that targets a minority community.
Sarma said Assam’s Muslim population was around 38 percent in 2021. He projected an increase to 40 percent by 2027. He linked this projection to a growth trend since 1961. He claimed that a rise beyond 50 percent would place the state’s indigenous communities at risk. His comments placed blame for this trend on migration over several decades.
He focused on Muslims he identifies as Miya Muslims. He said they do not support him due to ideological differences. He shared an anecdote where a man told him he would donate a kidney but would not vote for him. He used this to argue that these groups vote on ideology. Critics say this narrative frames a community as politically hostile.
Sarma said Assam’s population rose from 80 lakh in 1951 to 3.1 crore today. He said the indigenous population remains at about 70 lakh. He described the rest as migrants. He linked this to pressure on land and language. His claims revive themes from the Assam Agitation and the 1985 Assam Accord. These themes often place Muslims of Bengali origin at the center of political debate.
He alleged that some Miya Muslim groups have encroached on about 10 lakh acres of forest land. He said action against encroachments increased political opposition. Sarma also said he does not seek support from people he considers outside the Assamese identity. His remarks add to concern about exclusionary political language in the state.
