Assam & West Bengal face ‘demographic shift’: Himanta calls for joint task force

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on April 17 raised concerns over what he described as a changing demographic pattern in Assam and West Bengal, calling for coordinated action among northeastern and eastern states to address the issue of illegal infiltration.

Addressing a public gathering in Malda, Sarma claimed that post-census data could reflect a further rise in the Muslim population, projecting figures of around 32 per cent in West Bengal and 36 per cent in Assam. He alleged that such changes are linked to continued illegal migration from Bangladesh.

The Chief Minister said that unless a joint task force comprising Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, and other neighbouring states is formed, the issue of cross-border infiltration would persist. “Unless there is coordinated action, Bangladeshis will continue to enter India,” he said.

Sarma further claimed that the Muslim population has been increasing by 4–5 per cent in every census cycle, adding that similar trends are visible in both Assam and West Bengal.

Appealing to the people of West Bengal, he said that the responsibility of safeguarding the country rests with them, and stressed the need for collective efforts among states like Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, and Meghalaya to address the issue.

He also warned that failure to act in a coordinated manner could have long-term implications, alleging that unchecked infiltration could destabilise the region.

The remarks come amid ongoing political debates over census, migration, and demographic changes, particularly in border states, where such issues continue to remain politically sensitive.