TMC MP Sushmita Dev challenges Assam CM Sarma's Muslim population claims

Digital Desk: Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev challenged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's remarks on the demographic changes in the state's Muslim population since 1951.

Sarma, speaking at a press conference in Ranchi, had expressed concern over the shift in demographics, stating, "Changing demography is a significant concern for me. In Assam, the Muslim population has now risen to 40 per cent. In 1951, it was 12 per cent." 

He also highlighted alleged cases of tribal girls being lured into inter-faith marriages by 'illegal immigrants', emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.

His remarks sparked controversy, prompting Sushmita Dev to assert a day later that the chief minister had misrepresented the facts. The TMC MP took to social media and posted a video stating that the Muslim population in Assam in 1951 was 25 per cent, not 12 per cent as claimed by the Assam CM during his visit to Jharkhand.

"I want to clarify that according to government records from 1952, the Muslim population was registered at 25 per cent," she emphasized. She further questioned Chief Minister Sarma's assertion of a 40 per cent increase, highlighting the absence of a recent census due to COVID-19.

"I want to remind the Assam CM that the Indian Government was supposed to conduct a population census, but it has been postponed due to COVID-19. So, how did the figure of 40 per cent come about?" she queried.

Furthermore, the TMC MP criticized Sarma for failing to adequately secure the Indo-Bangladesh border, stating that only 78 per cent of it was effectively sealed. Sarma had made these remarks while visiting Jharkhand in his capacity as co-in charge of assembly elections, cautioning the people about similar issues faced by tribal women in Assam potentially affecting Jharkhand as well, and promising that a BJP-led government would address these concerns.