Identity Crisis: Indigenous Muslims demand seat reservation

GUWAHATI: Several indigenous Muslim people of different fields of work today spoke against the proposed delimitation of constituencies in the state while addressing members of the press on Saturday. They mentioned that the draft published by the election commission was not in favour of the indigenous people of the state or to protect their interests. They have also demanded the reservation of seats for the community.

Hasibur Rahman, Retired Additional Advocate General mentioned that even though the indigenous Muslims form 10% of the total population of the state, they have been denied political representation in the state. He said “The Assam Government has recognised us as indigenous people of the state, but they have not conducted any survey related to the same neither have they created any welfare scheme for these people or created a development council for this community even after promising to do the same. Also, the State government has never given the charge of any government undertaking to the indigenous Muslims, but the same has been allocated to those of Bengali origins.

To that end, they have demanded the reservation of 4 legislative assembly constituencies and one Rajya Sabha seat for the indigenous Muslims of the state. The press meet was attended by several people including Hasibur Rahman (Retired Additional Advocate General), Dr Poinuruddin Ahmed (Professor of Cotton College), Shah Sayed Samadur Rahman (Advocate of Gauhati High Court), Dr Armeda Ahmed ( Writer) and Islamul Haque Mandal (Retired Engineer and writer).

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