DibruGarh: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that the Miya Muslim population in the state is projected to rise significantly and may constitute 38% of the state’s total population in the next census, potentially making them the largest community in Assam.
Speaking to media persons after attending the Mukhyamantri Mashila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) programme in Dibrugarh, Sarma asserted that demographic trends indicate a sharp increase in the Miya Muslim population.
“When the next census is conducted and the report is published, the Miya Muslim population in Assam will rise to 38%. They will become the biggest community in the state mark my words,” Sarma said, adding, “That is why over the past five years, we have worked to protect our people’s interests and secure their future”. Miya Muslims in Assam are Bengali-speaking Muslims, originally migrants from erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Their growing numbers have been a bone of political and social contention in the state, often framed in debates around identity, land rights , and cultural preservation.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of the Indigenous population, Sarma announced that two new bills aimed at protecting Jati, Maati, Bheti (community, land, and social foundation) will be introduced in the upcoming session of the Assam Legislative Assembly in November.
“We will bring two important bills in the next Assembly session to address these concerns,” he said. “If the steps we’ve taken in the last five years had been taken 30 years ago, we wouldn’t be in this crisis today”.
Sarma further called for a continued political and social push to address the issue, stating, “A fight has begun, and we must lead it to our desired goal. This fight must continue over the next 10 years”. While the Chief Minister did not disclose the specifics of the proposed bills, he emphasised that they would be instrumental in protecting the rights and future of Assam’s indigenous communities.
According to the 2011 Census, Muslims made up 34.22% of Assam’s population of 3.12 crore. However, the data did not distinguish between indigenous and Miya Muslims. With the next census expected to offer fresh demographic insights, Sarma’s comments have reignited debates around identity, migration, and regional politics in Assam
