All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his comments on the ‘indigenous’ status of the migrant Muslim community. Owaisi said Sarma has no right to constantly ask for proof of loyalty from people. He described Sarma’s remarks as a display of bigotry and racism, defending Bengali-speaking Muslims as ‘indigenous’ to India.
Asaduddin Owaisi Slams Assam CM’s Remarks on ‘Indigenous’ Status of Migrant Muslims
In response to the criticism, Sarma clarified his stance, stating that his government does not have an issue with anyone calling themselves ‘indigenous’. However, he listed certain expectations, such as prohibiting child marriage, avoiding polygamy, and promoting higher education among children. Sarma believes these parameters are essential parts of the larger Assamese society.
Sarma urged the immigrant Muslim community to adopt Assamese culture to be recognized as ‘indigenous’. He emphasized that practices like multiple marriages and early marriages for girls are not in line with Assamese customs. The Chief Minister also encouraged parents to guide their children towards professions like medicine or engineering instead of sending them to madrasas.
Highlighting the cultural diversity of Assam, Sarma mentioned that both Hindus and Muslims in the state, regardless of their specific beliefs, respect figures like Sankaradeva. Assam is home to the second-largest Muslim population in India after Jammu and Kashmir.
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