Muslims are big brothers to us, must be empowered, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that the Muslim community in Assam would soon undergo a comprehensive caste census as part of an initiative to empower the minority population. Sarma, speaking at Agenda Aajtak, outlined the importance of understanding the social fabric within the Muslim community to ensure inclusive growth and opportunities.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the caste census was already underway for the Muslim community in Assam, following a successful completion of the Hindu caste census. Sarma expressed gratitude for the support received from Muslim leaders, women and the community as a whole. He connected the initiative to the broader concept of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) aimed at achieving national empowerment.

Sarma articulated that the caste census was crucial in identifying and addressing backward sections within the Muslim community, providing a roadmap for their upliftment. He argued that the move was part of a larger effort to bring about justice and empowerment for the Muslim population highlighting the closure of Madrassas and the need for education in mainstream fields.

Taking a swipe at political opponents, Sarma urged leaders like Rahul Gandhi not to exploit the issue of caste census for political gains. He said that the focus should be on the genuine empowerment of the Muslim community rather than using it as a political tool.

The Chief Minister also touched upon the upcoming legislative move in Assam, where a law against polygamy is set to be passed on February 4th, 2024. Sarma explained that this decision was aligned with the principles of the UCC and was aimed at fostering social harmony.

Diverging into national politics, Sarma expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the opposition lacked a leader capable of contesting him in national elections. He challenged Rahul Gandhi's recent statements on OBC representation, questioning why the Congress party had not appointed an OBC candidate as Prime Minister during its tenure.

Sarma also defended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) declaring that its is under the supervision of Home Minister for smooth execution.