Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that Assam’s 35 percent population consists of Muslims, and hence cannot be considered a minority in the northeastern state anymore. He further evoked the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Hindus and added that “it’s the duty of Muslims” in the state to allay fears of other communities that Assam may become like it is shown in the Bollywood movie ‘The Kashmir Files’.
On a debate on the Governor’s address in the budget session of the Assam assembly, CM said that there is no need to encroach on the lands of tribals. He said, “Today people from Muslim community are leaders in opposition, MLAs and have equal opportunity and wield power. So, it is their duty to ensure that the rights of tribal people are protected and their lands are not encroached upon. There is no need to encroach on the lands of tribals residing in the sixth schedule area. If Bora and Kalita (Assamese surnames) have not settled on those land, Islam and Rahman (Muslim surnames) must also refrain from settling in those lands.”
He said that power brings along responsibility. As Muslims constitute 35 percent of population, it is “their duty to protect the minorities here”.
He further added, “The Assamese people are under fear. There is fear that culture and civilization will be protected. Harmony is two-way traffic. Let Muslims talk about the protection of Sankari culture, Sattriya culture…there will be harmony. Ten years back, we were not minorities but now we are.”
He said that people keep asking him if Assamese people will face the same fate as Kashmiri Pandits?. He said, “People ask me if Assamese people will face the same fate as Kashmiri Pandits. Ten years down the line, will Assam be like it is shown in the Bollywood movie ‘The Kashmir Files’? It is the duty of Muslims to allay our fear. Muslims must behave like a majority and give us assurance that there will be no repeat of Kashmir here.”
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