Guwahati, Aug 28: The Rohingya influx into India was exacerbated through Tripura and Assam due to the recent turmoil in Bangladesh which caused a breakdown in the textile industry in the neighbouring country.
This was claimed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while replying to a “sankalpa prastab” raised by Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha on the floor of the Assam legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
The textile industry is a major source of employment and economic stability in Bangladesh. A breakdown in this sector could lead to widespread job losses, economic hardship, and increased instability, potentially forcing more people, including Rohingyas, to flee.
“Due to the breakdown of the textile industry, many Rohingyas are entering India through Assam and Tripura. Some of them have been pushed back by Assam Police and the Border Security Force (BSF). I can tell you their names, ages and addresses also if you want,” Sarma said.
Demography change is real, migration is real, he said.
Sarma wondered why the media had not highlighted this problem even as he raised his concern through social media every day.
Sarma alleged that there is a massive demographic change in Lower Assam districts from 2001 to 2011 as the population of the Muslim community has grown up by a maximum 3 per cent in every census.
“Many Hindu families have been displaced from areas such as Lower Assam’s undivided Goalpara, Barpeta, and South Salamara due to perceived insecurity or discomfort. This situation often stems from complex socio-political dynamics and can involve several factors,” Sarma also said.
“According to 2011 census, Hindu population in the state was 1,91,80,779 (61.47%) while Muslim population was 1, 02,79,345 (34.22%). If 2011 census figure speaks like this, what would be the figure of 2021 census?,” the Chief Minister questioned.
“The Muslim population in the state during Independence of the country was 22 per cent in 1947. It went up to 24.68 per cent in 1961, 24.56 per cent in 1971, 28.43 per cent in 1991 and 30.9 per cent in 2001. The population growth was high during 2011 to 11,” Sarma claimed.
“Many scholars pointed out that illiteracy is the main cause of the growth of the population among Muslims. However, the educational scenario has changed in Muslim-dominated areas, which indicates that education is not a factor for it. The demography is shifted in every district,” the Chief Minister said.
“The change of demography is going to be an unprecedented disaster in Assam. Hindus have lost land rights and all privileges due to demographic change,” he said.
“Once Kalitakuchi in Hajo was dominated by Kalita community people, but very few Kalita people are now living there. This is a clear example of how the Hindu population is going down. It is beyond our imagination,” he also said.
The Chief Minister asked the Muslim MLAs: “Why you have failed to provide security to Hindfus in your constituency? In Hindu-dominated constituencies, all Hindu MLAs provide safety and security to Muslim families. But why don’t you follow it? Please bring the Hindu families back to the places from where you chased them out,” Sarma said.
“I am giving you polling booth-wise data on how the Muslim population is growing up in Hindu belts. I will give you a true picture. I visited these places, not to seek votes, but to create awareness among the people on child marriage,” he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that even as Hindus have been displaced from Lower Assam, there is no instance of displacement of Muslim families from Hindu belts.
“If you convince the Hindus of security and safety, they will live there. Otherwise, the people would go for a situation like Assam Agitation, where they must fight for existence. It is the responsibility of the House to maintain it,” he said.
Stating that his government will bring legislation against polygamy, the chief Minister urged the Muslim MLAs to support and extend their cooperation to curb child marriage in the state.
