Assam's Muslim population may equal Hindus by 2041: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Himanta said that according to the 2011 survey, the Muslim population in the state was 34%, out of which, 31% were those who had migrated to the state.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday claimed that the Muslim population in the state will be almost equal to Hindus by 2041 if the current growth rate continues. He made the remarks while addressing a press conference following a cabinet meeting in Assam’s Dibrugarh city.
He added that according to the 2011 survey, the Muslim population in the state was 34 per cent, out of which, 31 per cent were those who had migrated to the state. He claimed that out of the total Muslims in the state, only three per cent were indigenous Assamese Muslims.
"This is not my take, it is just the Census result. Today as per the 2011 Census, 34 per cent of the population is Muslim,” Sarma said, when asked whether indigenous people of Assam will become a minority in the state after a few years.
"...then the 31 per cent are the Muslims who had migrated to Assam. And if you project that for 2021, 2031 and 2041, you will come to almost a 50:50 position. I am just stating what the statistical census report says," he said.
What 2011 census says about Assam’s Muslim population
As per the 2011 Census, Muslims constituted 34.22 per cent (1.07 crore) of Assam’s total population of 3.12 crores, while Hindus made up approximately 61.47 per cent, with a population of 1.92 crore.
The BJP has consistently raised concerns over demographic shifts in the state. It points out that the number of Muslim-majority districts rose from six in 2001 to nine in 2011, and claims that it has further increased to at least 11, however, the 2021 census data is still pending, reported PTI.
In 2001, Assam had 23 districts. Out of them, six had Muslim-majority population. These were -- Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Nagaon, Karimganj and Hailakandi.
In 2011, the number of districts in the state increased to 27 and the districts with Muslim majority population became nine, which includes Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Bongaigaon and Darrang.
With inputs from PTI.
