Sarma Meets 150 Indigenous Muslim Intellectuals

After holding consultations with 150 indigenous Muslim intellectuals, the Assam government has decided to form eight sub-committees for formulating strategies for the community’s holistic development over the next five years.

“I met about 150 intellectuals representing indigenous Muslims who have a rich cultural heritage… We discussed various issues… The meeting laid emphasis on the uniqueness of indigenous Assamese Muslims and that they should be protected… However, population explosion in some parts of Assam has posed a real threat to the development of the state,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media persons after the meeting.

Sarma said: “We will hold similar discussions with the Muslims of East Bengal origin (Bengali-speaking Muslims). There is a distinct cultural difference between the two…and we respect that.”