Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday stated that the term ‘Miya’, often used for Bangladeshi-origin Muslims residing in the state, remains prevalent. During the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed nearly five lakh complaints, describing this exercise as a national responsibility to identify foreigners.
Speaking to journalists in Sivasagar, Sarma claimed that many ‘unknown people’, who were previously not present in Assam, are now living in several districts of Upper Assam. He added that those who have recently arrived in the state will be clearly identified as foreigners if they receive notices during the SIR process.
Referring to the term ‘Miya’, the Chief Minister said it was earlier used as a derogatory reference for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam. However, some members of this community, including activists, are now openly embracing it as part of their identity. Sarma alleged that such claims are being made by ‘suspect individuals’ and said the Election Commission will investigate all complaints submitted during the revision process.
Emphasising that identifying foreigners is not the sole responsibility of the BJP, Sarma urged all political parties to actively participate in the SIR exercise. He accused opposition parties of not filing objections and instead trying to portray that there are no Bangladeshi citizens in Assam.
“BJP is against infiltrators and acts accordingly. Our workers have filed complaints because they believe infiltrators exist in the state,” he said. Citing official figures, Sarma noted that the integrated draft voter list published on December 30 after the SIR showed a 1.35 percent increase in voter numbers in Assam.
The Chief Minister further alleged that ‘Bangladeshi Miya’ have infiltrated districts such as Duliajan, Sarupathar and Golaghat in recent years. He also claimed there has been an increase in land purchases by such individuals in areas like Tinsukia. Recalling past demographic assumptions, Sarma said it was believed that Hindi and Bengali-speaking residents dominated Tinsukia earlier, but now the number of ‘unknown Bangladeshi Miya’ has grown significantly.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment