Assam favours redefining minorities district– wise

There is a perception that only Muslims are minority in India, says Chief Minister

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government favours redefining the minority status of religious groups district–wise instead of taking the country as a whole.

He told the Assembly on Wednesday that Muslims, who many think are the only minorities in India, are a majority in several districts of Assam.

“Even Hindus can be termed minority if there is a threat to their religion, culture and education. Hindus can be minorities in one State depending on the situation and threat perception,” Mr. Sarma said.

He said his government will wait for the judgment of the Supreme Court in a case on letting a State define the minority status of various groups.

“I will try to make the government of Assam a party to the case and present our views on defining the religious minorities district–wise,” the Chief Minister said.

The apex court is hearing a petition by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay who argued that the Hindus are a minority in 10 States and Union Territories but cannot avail themselves of the benefits of the government schemes for minorities.