Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to Release White Paper on Demographic Changes
Dispur (Assam) [India], August 29: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Assam government will release a white paper by April-May next year to highlight demographic changes in the state. The white paper will demonstrate how the Muslim population has increased in Hindu-majority areas.
Details from the Chief Minister
CM Sarma stated, “We are bringing a white paper to show how on polling booth level demography is changing in Assam so the people at large realize the challenges. By April or May, we are bringing a comprehensive white paper.”
He emphasized that Hindus are living peacefully without resisting these changes, while Muslims are not reacting the same way. Sarma appealed to the assembly to address the issue and prevent migration to maintain communal harmony.
Examples and Future Plans
CM Sarma cited the example of Kachari Gaon, a village in Assam where no member of the Kachari community resides today, to illustrate the changing demographics.
He also mentioned the government’s focus on the marriage registration bill and plans to ban polygamy. “Assam government is not decided on the whole UCC, we are focusing on the Muslim registration bill which we made compulsory. Our next step is banning polygamy,” Sarma said.
He stressed that the Assam government’s approach is different, focusing on issues like child marriage and the exploitation of women, rather than a comprehensive UCC.
Doubts Revealed
Assam -: Assam is a state in the northeastern part of India, known for its rich culture, tea gardens, and the Brahmaputra River.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in an Indian state. Himanta Biswa Sarma is the current Chief Minister of Assam.
White Paper -: A white paper is an official report or guide that informs readers about complex issues and presents the issuing body’s philosophy on the matter. In this case, it will discuss demographic changes in Assam.
Demographic Changes -: Demographic changes refer to the changes in the population’s structure, such as age, race, or religion. Here, it means changes in the population of different religious groups in Assam.
Communal Harmony -: Communal harmony means people of different religions living together peacefully without conflicts. It is important for maintaining peace in a diverse country like India.
Migration -: Migration is when people move from one place to another to live. In this context, it refers to people moving into Assam from other places.
Marriage Registration -: Marriage registration is the official recording of a marriage by the government. It helps in keeping legal records and ensuring the rights of married couples.
Polygamy -: Polygamy is the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time. The Assam government plans to ban this practice.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC) -: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposal to have the same set of laws governing personal matters like marriage, divorce, and inheritance for all citizens of India, regardless of their religion.
