Tarun Gogoi sticks to 'low literacy, high population' remark

GUWAHATI: Sticking to his stand that low literacy level among Muslims was the cause of growing population in Assam, chief minister Tarun Gogoi has asked chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Wajahat Habibullah, to visit the state to study why population was high in certain areas.

Gogoi triggered a controversy when he told a news channel recently that low literacy levels among Muslims contributed to their growing population. Habibullah had criticised Gogoi for his remark. Gogoi on Wednesday said: "Infiltration from across the border is on the decline. In 2001 and 2011 census, the population growth in Assam is less than the national level. However population in Barpeta, Dhubri, Nagoan, North Cachar hills and Karbi Anglong districts is higher."

He reiterated that this increase was due to low literacy levels. "This is not only the case with Muslims, increase in population is happening in tea gardens and among tribals. Illiteracy is fueling population growth. In Upper Assam districts like Sibsagar population increase among different communities is low as the literacy rate is good there."

Taking on Habibullah, Gogoi said, "if illiteracy is not the reason, than let Habibullah come and study and say as to what is the reason. See even Sachar Committee report has stated about illiteracy in Muslims". BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said government had been unable to check illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and was making strange statements. Gogoi said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had last year said that fertility rate was more among illiterates.