Guwahati
Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, emphasized that Bengali-speaking Muslims must abandon practices like child marriage and polygamy if they wish to be recognized as ‘khilonjiya’ indigenous people of the state. He had previously blamed this community, mostly with roots in Bangladesh, for such social issues.
Sarma stated, whether ‘Miyas’ (Bengali-speaking Muslims) are indigenous or not is a separate issue. What matters is if they strive to be ‘indigenous’, which we welcome. However, they must forsake child marriage and polygamy, and promote female education.
‘Miya’ has been a derogatory term for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, though some have embraced it defiantly. Sarma highlighted Assamese culture, where girls are revered as ‘shakti’ (goddess), and multiple marriages are not customary. He emphasized that adopting Assamese customs would lead to recognition as ‘indigenous.’
Last year, the state government cracked down on child marriage, arresting thousands. Sarma aims to end this practice by 2026. The Cabinet also repealed the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, criticized by opposition as polarizing. Plans to introduce a bill against polygamy were discussed, with support for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) voiced by Sarma, though criticized by opposition for its timing.
