POPULATION POLICY: Assam CM to garner support from Muslim intellectuals, groups

From Our Correspondent 

 GUWAHATI:

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will meet several Muslim intellectuals and groups next month to garner support on the state’s move to slow down its minority population growth.

Sarma claimed that the state government’s decision to take specific policy measures to curb minority population growth has been welcomed by organisations such as the All Assam Minorities Students Union (AAMSU).

“There has been no resistance from any minority group as the move is aimed at the welfare of the community. In fact, the AAMSU leaders have met me and welcomed the move. I will deliberate on the matter with 150 Muslim intellectuals of the state on July 4 so that members take the message among the community,” Sarma told newsmen here on Tuesday.

The chief minister had on Monday told a section of the media that the state government’s primary objective was to expand health and educational initiatives, and check the growth of Muslim population with an aim to eradicate poverty and illiteracy.

“Subsequently, I will have intensive meetings with various other socio-economic organisations of the Muslim community to support the move as population control is the only way to eradicate poverty and illiteracy among the minority communities,” he said.

Pointing out an imbalance in decadal population growth among communities, Sarma said that the Muslim population in Assam has been growing at a rate of 29 per cent while that of Hindus at only 10 per cent.

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