‘Will give me a kidney, but not a vote’: Himanta warns of “demographic invasion” in Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday warned of what he described as a looming “demographic invasion” in the state, claiming that other communities would be “finished” if the Muslim population were to cross 50 percent. 

Speaking at the Agenda AajTak event, Sarma said the indigenous Assamese population is facing an existential crisis driven by decades of unchecked migration.

He cited demographic projections to argue that Assam’s Muslim population — estimated at around 38 percent in 2021 — could rise to 40 percent by 2027, noting that the group has maintained a decadal growth rate of 4–5 percent since 1961. “If the Muslim population crosses 50 percent, others won’t remain. Only they will remain,” he said.

Sarma also addressed voting patterns, asserting that many Muslims — particularly those he described as “Miya Muslims” — do not support him due to ideological differences, not because of any lack of government benefits or development work. Illustrating his point, he recounted an encounter with a man who praised his governance. 

“He told me he would even give me a kidney if needed, but he still wouldn’t vote for me,” Sarma said. “This shows votes are for ideology, not schemes.”

The chief minister argued that identity politics in Assam has become a “compulsion for survival,” insisting that demographic shifts have placed immense pressure on land, resources, language and cultural heritage. He said Assam’s population has grown from 80 lakh in 1951 to 3.1 crore today, while the indigenous population has remained roughly 70 lakh. “The rest 2.4 crore are migrants,” Sarma claimed.

Invoking the historical context of the 1979–85 Assam Agitation and the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985, Sarma said the issues of migration and identity remain unresolved. “Even after 40 years, we are still fighting for its implementation,” he said.

Sarma’s remarks come as identity, migration and demographic change continue to shape political debates ahead of the coming election cycle.