A panel formed by the BJP-led government in Assam has recommended that a notification be passed to identify “Assamese Muslims” as a distinct group in the state.
The panel was formed after Assam chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last July had met with representatives of the Assamese Muslim community from various fields to discuss the community's socio-economic issues. Divided into seven sub-committees, the panel submitted the report on Thursday after months of discussion.
The other suggestions include issuing identity cards or certifications as well as conducting a census to “identify and document” the Assamese Muslim community.
Under the umbrella of the indigenous Assamese Muslim community fall three main groups: the Goriyas, the Moriyas (from Upper Assam) and the Deshis (from Lower Assam). While the Deshis are 13th-century converts from indigenous communities such as Koch Rajbongshi and Mech, the Goriyas and Moriyas trace their lineage to converts as well as soldiers, artisans, etc. who came to the region during the Ahom rule. Smaller groups such as Julha Muslims also fall under this category.
These groups consider themselves distinct from the Bengali-speaking Muslims who migrated from East Bengal or Bangladesh.
Accepting the report on Thursday, Sarma said that all the recommendations were “implementable”, but in a phase wise manner. “We can categorise them into short term, medium term and long term,” he said.
He also added that the committee has put…
