Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sets forth terms for Bengali-speaking Muslims originally from Bangladesh to be considered as indigenous in Assam, emphasizing adherence to cultural norms of the Assamese society.
Conditions outlined by the CM
The CM's terms for obtaining indigenous status include having no more than two children, avoiding polygamy, and preventing the marriage of minor daughters. The CM expressed concern over the encroachment of Vaishnavite monasteries' lands and emphasized respect for Assamese cultural values.
'Children should attend schools, not madrasas'
The Chief Minister stressed the need for education and urged the Muslim community to focus on fields like medicine and engineering. He advocated for the education of daughters and their rights to parental property.
In 2022, the Assam Cabinet officially recognized nearly 4 million Assamese-speaking Muslims as 'Indigenous Assamese Muslims'. They constitute about 37% of the total Muslim populace, with the remaining 63% being immigrant Bengali-speaking Muslims. Five distinct groups were included in the cabinet's recognition, namely Goria, Moria, Jolah (exclusively those residing in tea gardens), Desi, and Syed (Assamese speakers only).
These groups have been identified based on geographical location. For instance, Moria, Jolah, and Goria are populations settled near tea gardens, while Syeds and Desi are located in the lower regions, but have been speaking Assamese across generations. The current government believes these people are Assam's original inhabitants with no connections to Bangladesh. It is believed that these communities converted to Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries, and their culture has similarities to that of Hindus. They were brought from Chhota Nagpur during British rule, with Jolahs working in tea gardens and Syeds following Sufi saints.
