Assam: BJP Panel Recommends ID Card Census To Identify Assamese Muslim

GUWAHATI: In a recent development, a panel made by the Assam BJP government has recommended an ID card census for the identification of Assamese Muslims as a distinct group in Assam.

In July last year, the chief minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting with the representatives of the Muslim community in Assam and formed a panel.

The CM met the representatives of the community from different fields to discuss the social-economic issues of the Assamese Muslims.

After several months of discussion, the panel divided into 7 sub-committees submitted a report on Thursday 21 April.

As per the recommendations, a census will be conducted and an identity card or certificate will be issued to identify and document the Assamese Muslim community.

CM Sarma said that the suggestions by the panel of 7 committees were implemented but in a phase-wise manner. The government may categorize the communities into long term, short term and medium term.

It was also informed that the committee has put forward a definition of the Assamese Muslim community in the report submitted on Thursday.

The definition has been accepted and through this, the target group will be clearer for which different initiatives will be taken by the government.

In the next stage, administrative decisions, legislative mechanisms and financial support will be provided to these distinct Assamese Muslim groups as informed by the CM.

The report also called for a provision similar to Article 333 of the Indian constitution for the representation of Assamese Muslims in the Legislative Assembly and Parliament.

In a release by the government, it was stated that as per Article 169 a legislative council will be formed in Assam after which a specific no. of seats will be reserved for Assamese Muslims.

It may be mentioned that there are 3 main categories that fall under the indigenous Muslim community in Assam includes Goriyas, Moriyas and the Deshis.

The Goriyas and Moriyas trace their ancestors to converts and artisans, soldiers who came to Assam during the Ahom dynasty. However, the Deshis are 13th-century converts from indigenous Assamese communities like Mech and Rajbongshi.

These communities in Assam claim to be the distinct groups from the Bengali-speaking Muslims that had migrated to the region from Bangladesh and East Bengal.

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