Assam: With the Assam government planning to conduct a survey to identify the indigenous Muslim population of the state in order to segregate them from illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, state Minority Development Board chairman Muminul Aowal said that the census would help "protect" the identity and rights of the Goriya, Moriya, Deshi, Julha communities.
"This census is very important keeping in mind the growing population of illegal Bangladeshi Muslims in Assam which is around 90 lakhs compared to 40 lakh indigenous Muslims. This is a very good step by the government. We believe that this initiative would help protect the identity, and rights of the Goriya, Moriya, Deshi, and Julha communities," said Aowal after attending a meeting held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati between Minority welfare minister Ranjit Dutta and the leaders of the "indigenous" Muslims.
Elaborating on the discussion held during the meeting, Aowal said, "We held discussion on the name of the Cooperation that is to be constituted in Assam. The government had, earlier, decided to name it as Indigenous Muslim Cooperation, but all the organisations objected to the terms 'Muslim' and 'Indigenous' and said that they want the cooperation to be named after the communities including Goriya, Moriya,Deshi, Julha, and the government has agreed to this demand."
Aowal added that the community leaders have requested that the census be carried out in tandem with the Home, Revenue and Minority Affairs department.
"We have also extended our support to the exercise by providing the government with the data we have with us," said Aowal.
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In the state budget of 2019-20, Rs 100 crore was earmarked for Indigenous Muslim Development Corporation.
Meanwhile, Congress state president Ripun Bora alleged that this survey is an eyewash which is being conducted by the government.
