The proposal to issue identity cards to Assamese Muslims faced strong opposition from the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF, which said there was no standard definition of ‘Assamese’ and blamed the BJP government in the state for development with the move. Accused of diverting attention from “failures”. ,
The recommendation came recently from a panel set up by the state government last year for the holistic development of “indigenous Assamese Muslims”. The panel, which was divided into seven sub-committees, recommended that a notification be passed identifying Assamese Muslims as a separate group.
Speaking against the proposal, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Rafikul Islam told News18: “The BJP in Assam is not able to make any development in the region. So they are playing the religious card. This is a conspiracy to divide Muslims in Assam, to break the peace and unity of the region.”
“What is the need of such an identity… ‘Muslims of Assamese’… what does it mean? All Indian citizens are Indians and Assamese residing in Assam.”
“There is no proper definition of the word Assam. Assam could not even give the agreement. No one will accept it, not even the Supreme Court,” Islam said.
Opposing Islam’s claims, BJP leader Syed Muminul Awal, who also heads the Jangosthi Samanaya Parishad (JSPA), said the resolution would give an official identity to indigenous Muslims to be from Assam. JSPA is an umbrella body of over 30 indigenous organizations.
“This will benefit the genuine minorities of the region. There are now about 1 crore Bangladeshi Muslims in Assam and the number of indigenous Muslims is about 45 lakh. So the Muslims of Bangladesh are no longer a minority. This process will benefit the genuine minorities of the region,” he told News18.
“AIUDF is opposing it because their leader Badruddin Ajmal is himself a Bangladeshi Muslim. Such evil forces will try to obstruct the good things in the state. But we have faith in Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that he will turn it into reality.
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