GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed officials to carry out a socio-economic assessment of the state’s indigenous Muslim communities – Goria, Moria, Deshi, Syed, and Jolha. The findings will guide the government in taking measures to uplift the communities socio-politically and educationally.
The announcement has received support from indigenous Muslim communities, especially the Goria Muslims.
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Speaking to The New Indian, Hafijul Ahmed, chairman of the Goria Development Council, said that they would rather stay with Hindus than immigrant Muslims.
“In our villages, we (indigenous Muslims) stay separated from immigrant Muslims. We can stay with Hindus but not with immigrant Muslims,” said Hafijul Ahmed.
Ahmed further implied that the socio-economic assessment would make it easier to identify the communities. “The identification will be easy when the village-based list is made as far as Goria, Moria, and other indigenous Muslims are concerned. Later, we can even identify the Muslim identity in towns,” added Ahmed.
The Assam government’s decision is part of its three-year exercise to consolidate an identity for Muslim sub-groups different from Bengali-speaking Muslims, seizing on the demand made by some of the “Assamese Muslim” bodies.
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has criticized the move. “This is an agenda to divide and rule among the Muslim communities. If the BJP can oppose the Caste Census, why do they want a similar thing in Assam for the Muslims? Earlier, the party also insulted Assamese Muslims with comments against the community. Now, why are they suddenly thinking about them?” questioned Jeherul Islam, AIUDF spokesperson.
The findings of the survey will be essential for developing effective policies and programs to support the socio-political and educational upliftment of these communities.