Ensure Assam stays Hindu majority: BJP MP Ramen Deka

GUWAHATI: Citing 2011 Census, BJP MP says Muslims comprised 34% of the total population of Assam. Of this, only 3%-4% are indigenous Muslims.

The Centre's notification regularising the stay of non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh continues to dominate Assam politics. BJP on Monday said that Assam should ensure that it remained a "Hindu majority" state for the interest of the country.

BJP Lok Sabha MP Ramen Deka, citing the 2011 census figures, said that Muslims comprised 34% of the total population of Assam. Of this 3%-4% are indigenous Muslims. "We have to maintain Assam as Hindu majority state." The Centre has decided to exempt Bangladeshi and Pakistani Hindus who entered India before 2015 from provisions of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, and the For eigners Act, 1946, to facilitate their stay without documents on humanitarian grounds. Several organisations have questioned the Centre's move with Assam going to the polls in 2016.

Deka added India was partitioned on the basis of religion and the two-na tion theory was enough to allow asylum to religious minorities from the two neighbouring countries. "Migration has become a global phenomenon. Germany has opened up its border to migrants," Deka said.

Congress spokesperson Ripun Bora said that Deka's comment that Assam should remain Hindu majority state was part of BJP's politics of hate and division. "They (BJP) believe in polarisation." Bora questioned that BJP had prior to the LS polls of 2014 promised illegal immigrant free Assam. "What happened to that? Has Assam become immigrant free?"