Amit Shah Draws Clear Distinction Between Indigenous and Immigrant Muslims in Assam
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at a rally in Kaliabor, Assam, on Thursday, explicitly stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party's political battle is directed against Muslim immigrants originating from Bangladesh, rather than the state's indigenous Muslim population. This declaration represents a significant and rare clarification in the ongoing election campaign, where top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, have previously emphasized infiltration issues without making such a nuanced differentiation.
Clarifying BJP's Stance on Muslim Communities
Addressing a gathering for ally Asom Gana Parishad's candidate, Shah articulated, "What Congress did was let infiltrators settle in. Congress is giving this a Hindu-Muslim angle. Today I want to make it clear that BJP is against infiltrators, but no one has any opposition to the indigenous Muslims of our Assam." This statement marks the first instance in the current election cycle where a clear demarcation has been drawn between indigenous Assamese-speaking Muslims and immigrant Muslims, who are predominantly Bengali-speaking.
The issue of infiltration has dominated Assam's political landscape for over four decades, remaining its oldest electoral concern. However, Shah's explicit distinction between these two Muslim groups is seldom articulated in typical campaign narratives, highlighting a strategic shift in messaging.
Background on Indigenous Muslim Communities
This distinction aligns with the Assam cabinet's 2022 recognition of five Muslim groups—Gorias, Moriyas, Jolhas, Deshis, and Syeds—as indigenous Assamese Muslims. These communities, with no history of migration from erstwhile East Pakistan or present-day Bangladesh, are considered a sub-group of the broader native Assamese community. Collectively, they number approximately 40 lakh, constituting one-third of Assam's total Muslim population.
In contrast, immigrant Muslims, often referred to as 'miya,' originate from regions such as Mymensingh, Tangail, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Cumilla in Bangladesh. They speak a dialect distinct from standard Bengali and form the larger portion of the Muslim demographic. According to the 2011 census, Muslims account for 34% of Assam's total population.
Accusations Against Congress and Development Claims
Shah criticized the Congress party, alleging it "did nothing" for Assam's development during its 15-year rule in the state. Targeting Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting the poll-bound state, Shah questioned, "What did the party do for Assam during its rule?" He pointed out that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha, yet neither the central nor state government under Congress delivered substantial progress.
Shah claimed that Congress allocated only ₹1.28 lakh crore to Assam over ten years, whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration provided ₹9.78 lakh crore between 2014 and 2024. He highlighted infrastructure investments totaling ₹1.35 lakh crore for highways, railways, waterways, airports, nine medical colleges, and several engineering colleges. Additionally, Shah emphasized Modi's initiative to establish a ₹27,000-crore semiconductor facility at Jagiroad.
Heritage Preservation and Tourism Promotion
Shah also addressed environmental and cultural issues, stating that Kaziranga attracts tourists globally, but "Congress governments handed over Kaziranga to infiltrators. BJP and Asom Gana Parishad govt freed the land of Kaziranga and protected the rhinos, which are symbols of our Assam’s pride. It is the NDA govt that has worked to promote tourism."
Regarding heritage preservation, Shah asserted that BJP has safeguarded Assam's legacy by constructing a memorial for Assam agitation martyrs, erecting an 80-feet statue of Ahom general Lachit Barphukan, and promoting his legacy nationwide. He accused Congress of failing to honor figures like Gopinath Bordoloi and Bhupen Hazarika with the Bharat Ratna, while BJP granted classical language status to Assamese.
This rally underscores BJP's refined electoral strategy in Assam, focusing on immigration while acknowledging and respecting indigenous Muslim communities, thereby shaping a complex political narrative ahead of the polls.
