Caste census to fulfil indigenous Muslims' long-standing demand, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that caste census will fulfil the long aspiration indigenous Muslim communities in Assam to identify their respective communities.

Muslims comprise 34% of the 3.12 crore population of Assam, of which 4% are indigenous Assamese Muslims and the remaining are mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims.

The Assam cabinet had earlier approved identification of five communities as indigenous Assamese Muslim communities. The Assam cabinet had approved identification of Goria, Moria, Deshi, Jolah and Syed as the indigenous Assamese Muslim communities.


Talking to media persons in New Delhi on Thursday, Sarma said, “ From a long time now Assamese Muslims had an aspiration that they must be identified as Jolah, Syed and the census will fulfil this aspiration.”

He added, “During the last Lok Sabha election in Karimganj seat I have promised that there will be a census to identify the Kiran Sheikh community or the Maimal community. Owing to this census those communities who wanted to give their identity will be able to do so.”

Sarma said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wanted a census of OBC only, Prime minister Narendra Modi has done it for everyone. “Rahul wanted to bring division by doing this while the Prime minister is doing this for the unity of the people.”

The Assam government in 2001 after discussion with Muslim intellectuals has decided to form eight sub committees which lay down a roadmap for holistic development of the community in next five years. The committees have submitted their report to the chief minister.

Sarma was engaged in discussion with 150 indigenous Muslim intellectuals. Eight sub-groups submitted reports on health, education, population stabilisation, cultural identity, financial inclusion and skill development.

The BJP led government in Assam had earlier proposed the creation of a development board for indigenous Muslims communities Goria, Moria, Deshi and Jolah.