Assam to Conduct Socio-economic Assessment of Indigenous Muslim Communities

October 4, 2023

The government of Assam has announced its plan to conduct a socio-economic survey of the state’s five indigenous Muslim communities. This initiative aims to support the development and upliftment of these communities in various aspects, including healthcare, education, cultural identity, financial matters, skill development, and women empowerment.

Key Points

The socio-economic survey will focus on the five indigenous Muslim communities: Goria, Moria, Deshi, Syed, and Jolha.
The survey findings will guide the government in implementing measures for the comprehensive socio-political and educational development of these communities.
The state cabinet has already approved the “indigenous” status for these five Muslim communities.
The decision comes after the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar released the findings of a caste survey, revealing significant data about the state’s population composition.

Critics’ Perspective

Critics argues that the survey should encompass all communities, especially those classified as backward.
They contend that conducting a selective survey for only the indigenous Muslim communities is a divisive tactic by the government.
It is highlighted that constitutional provisions exist for surveys of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs), which should be considered.

Background

The issue of conducting a socio-economic survey of the indigenous Muslim communities had been discussed in the past, with plans dating back to the previous government led by Sarbananda Sonowal.
Assam’s Muslim population was 34.22 percent of the total population according to the 2011 census, with Hindus comprising 61.47 percent.

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