Muslims Not Minority In Assam, Says Chief Minister, Evokes Kashmiri Hindus
NDTV
"10 years down the line, will Assam be like it is shown in the movie 'The Kashmir Files'? It is the duty of Muslims to allay our fear" he said.
In yet another statement that is sure to court controversy, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that Muslims constitutes 35 per cent of Assam's population and cannot be considered as a 'minority' anymore.
Speaking during a debate on the Governor's address in the budget session of the Assam assembly, Mr Sarma said, "Today people from Muslim community are leaders in opposition, MLAs and have equal opportunity and wield power. So it is their duty to ensure that the rights of tribal people are protected and their lands are not encroached upon. There is no need to encroach on the lands of tribals residing in the sixth schedule area. If Bora and Kalita (Assamese surnames) have not settled on those land, Islam and Rahman (Muslim surnames) must also refrain from settling in those lands."
The Chief Minister further said that "power comes with responsibility" and as Muslims constitute 35 per cent of Assam's population, it is "their duty to protect the minorities here".
