Himanta Biswa Sarma says there is 'no medicine' for demographic change in Assam

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that there is “no penicillin or antibiotic” to address the demographic changes that have taken place in Assam, asserting that people have only two options — “either surrender or keep fighting”.

Sarma referred to what he described as a significant demographic shift in the state over the years. He said that Hindus currently constitute around 60 per cent of Assam’s population, while Muslims make up approximately 36 per cent, claiming that the situation was different in the past.

The Chief Minister stated that large-scale migration had altered the demographic balance in several districts. “In twelve districts, we were once the majority; today we have become the minority,” he said, alleging that land encroachment and forced migration have taken place in certain areas.

Sarma argued that removing large numbers of people was not feasible and maintained that there was no “easy solution” to the issue. “If there were a medicine for this, I would have prescribed it,” he remarked.

He further claimed that in some places, people are allegedly compelled to sell their land and relocate to towns, contributing to demographic changes in rural districts.

Referring to law-and-order measures, the Chief Minister also spoke about eviction drives and actions against encroachment, indicating that such steps would continue as part of the government’s policy framework.