The BJP-ruled Assam Government will hold a socio-economic
assessment of indigenous Muslim communities in the State, announced the Chief Minister’s
Office.
In a meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed officials
to conduct a survey of the Goria, Moria, Deshi, Syed and Jolha communities.
The findings will guide the State Government to take suitable
measures aimed at the socio-political and educational upliftment of the State’s
indigenous minorities, said the CMO.
The decision comes two days after the CM said the BJP did not need
“Miya (Muslim)” votes of “char” (riverine sandbar) areas for the next 10 years,
unless they “reformed themselves” by abandoning practices such as child
marriage.
CM Himanta, however, said “Miya” people supported him, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, and that they could continue to shout
slogans in favour of the saffron brigade without voting for it.
“The BJP will do public welfare and they will support us, but they
don’t need to vote for us. There is no harm in supporting us. Let them shout
‘zindabad’ for Himanta Biswa Sarma, Narendra Modi and the BJP,” he told
reporters on Sunday.
The chief minister added, “When elections arrive, I will request
them not to vote for us. You can vote for us when you follow family planning,
stop child marriages and shed fundamentalism,” he said. He added it would take
10 years for the community to achieve these “targets”.
“We will seek votes after 10 years, not now,” the chief minister
said.
He added those voting for the BJP should not have more than two or
three children, must send their daughters to school, should not encourage child
marriage and shun fundamentalism and adopt Sufism.
When pointed out that many “chars” – where predominantly
Bengali-speaking Muslims live – did not have proper schools, he said, “It can’t
happen that minority students won’t get a chance to study. We will open seven
colleges in minority areas in the coming days.”
