Guwahati, Aug. 26: The AASU and the BJP today attributed the growth in the Muslim population of Assam to "unabated influx" and the AIUDF to "natural birth rate" while the Congress had nothing to say in response to the latest census data on population of religious communities released yesterday.
The Muslim population of Assam, the highest among the seven northeastern states, comprises 34.22 per cent of the state's population of 3.12 crore. The highest growth rate of Muslim population has been recorded in Barpeta district, where it has grown by 70.73 per cent as against 59 per cent in 2001.
The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) said the sharp rise of Muslim population in the state was an outcome of "unabated influx" from Bangladesh.
"The main reason is that the government did not implement the 1985 Assam Accord during the past 30 years for which the country is suffering now. Ultimately, the country's populati on has increased. Had the Centre listened to AASU during the Assam Movement, today's situation would not have arisen," said AASU president Dipanka Nath. "The government should immediately start the process of identifying illegal Bangladeshis and a repatriation treaty should be signed with Bangladesh to deport them," he said.
BJP vice-president Santanu Bharali and general secretary Vijay Gupta said the party had been vindicated and that it was high time both the Union and state governments took steps to check the rise.
Bharali said, "Influx is the main reason for the growth apart from high birth rate. It will be one of the main issues in the Assembly polls."
Gupta, sharing Bharali's sentiments, said the Muslim population has risen by four per cent since 2001, when it was around 30 per cent of the population. "It is worrying," he said.
AGP spokesperson Lachit Bordoloi said the "growth trend"was worrying but did not elaborate.
The ruling Congress declined to comment. When contacted, senior Congress leader and former minister Ripun Bora said the party had nothing to say at the moment.
Most parties admitted that the rise in Muslim population would hugely impact state politics.
The chief convener of Axom Jatiya Gana Sangram Parishad, Aroop J. Kalita, said almost all the districts bordering Bangladesh had recorded a sharp rise in Muslim population, which clearly points towards illegal immigration as the major factor.
"We can't do anything unless we plug legal loopholes which are working in favour of the immigrants. The biggest hurdle is Section 6A and Section 3(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. We have challenged it in the Supreme Court and the matter is now awaiting deliberation before the Constitution Bench. Section 6A deals with conferring citizenship on those who came to Assam before March 25, 1971 and Section 3(1) deals with citizenship by birth. The rise is a threat to the nation," Kalita said.
AIUDF legislator A.R. Khan and senior member Jenat Mollah said the growth was natural.
"We know parties like the BJP will say it is because of influx but I say the factor is birth, which is because of poverty and lack of awareness among the Muslim population. For example, my grandmother had 22 children and my family has 102 members. We have been telling people to restrict it to at least three. I have four children but the last two are twins. Things are improving and will improve further. There is nothing to worry," Khan said.
Mollah said the Muslim population has, in fact, decreased by two per cent compared to the 2001 census.
Lafiqul Islam, general secretary of the All BTAD Minority Students' Union, also blamed the growth on lack of awareness in the community.
