Nine districts in Assam Muslim-majority: Himanta

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Feb 28: As many as nine districts of Assam are now Muslim –majority, State Planning and Development minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the Assembly on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question raised by BJP MLA Mril Saikia in the House, Minister Sarma revealed that according to 2001 census, the districts in Assam with larger Muslim population as compared to Hindus were Barpeta, Dhubri, Karimganj, Goalpara, Hailakandi, gaon, Bongaigaon Morigaon and Darrang.

As per 2011 census, Dhubri district has 79.67%, Barpeta 70.74%, Darrang 64.34%, Hailakandi 60.31% , Goalpara 57.52%, Karimganj 56.36%, gaon 55.36%, Morigaon 52.56% and Bongaigaon 50.22% people of Islamic faith.

 Assam, where illegal immigration from Bangladesh has been a concern, continues to undergo demographic changes. There are a total of 33 districts in Assam.

Earlier Sarma had said in the Assembly there is need to change the definition of minority, as now not Muslims but ‘Hindus are minority in nine districts’.