Guwahati, July 24: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warned on Wednesday that if current demographic trends persist, the state’s Muslim population could nearly match its Hindu population by 2041. Speaking at a post-cabinet press briefing, he cited data from the 2011 Census to underline his projection.
According to the 2011 figures, Muslims comprised 34.22 percent of Assam’s 3.12 crore population about 1.07 crore people, while Hindus accounted for 61.47 percent, or roughly 1.92 crore residents. Of the Muslim population, Sarma noted, only 3 percent are indigenous Assamese Muslims; the remaining 31 percent are earlier migrants. Extrapolating these trends to the next three decennial counts 2021, 2031 and 2041, he said the ratio would approach an almost even split between the two communities.
“This is not my personal view but simply what the statistical census report indicates,” Sarma emphasised. “If we project the 34 percent figure onward, by 2041 we will arrive at a near 50:50 position.”
The chief minister’s remarks come amid mounting BJP concerns over shifting demographics in Assam. The party highlights that Muslim-majority districts rose from six in 2001 to nine in 2011 and now number at least eleven even as the 2021 Census data remains under wraps.
On the same occasion, Sarma reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ongoing eviction operations against land encroachers. He estimated that some 29 lakh bighas (nearly 10 lakh acres) remain under illegal occupation and vowed that efforts to reclaim state land would persist, even if completion extends beyond his tenure. “Eviction drives will continue,” he said. “Though I may not live to see every plot vacated, we will not relent in protecting Assam’s land and cultural heritage.”
Sarma also recalled facing international pressure to pause evictions following a high-profile operation at Gorukhuti in 2021. Nevertheless, he maintained that Assam’s resolve to clear encroachments often blamed on “illegal Bangladeshis and doubtful citizens” remains undeterred.
