Caste census will benefit indigenous Muslims, says CM
Guwahati:
Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the indigenous Muslim population of the state, residing in the Brahmaputra and the Barak Valley regions, would significantly benefit from the caste census.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The centre on Wednesday announced that nation's 16th population census, incorporating caste enumeration, would be implemented in 2027.
Speaking on the side lines of World Environment Day event, the chief minister said Assam's indigenous Muslim communities have consistently requested a caste-based census to establish their unique socio-cultural identities.
"The proposed caste enumeration in the upcoming national census is expected to fulfil their decades-old aspiration for formal recognition of their independent identity — distinct from broader religious classifications and migratory groupings," he added.
Sarma said communities, including the Goria, Moria, Deshi, Syed, and Jolha (Julha) Muslims of the Brahmaputra Valley, and the Kiren and Maimal Muslims of the Barak Valley, consistently maintain that while Islam is their faith, they possess distinctive ethnic, linguistic and cultural characteristics separating them from non-indigenous Muslim populations.
The CM indicated last month that Assam govt had begun preliminary steps towards conducting a comprehensive caste census to document and identify the state's indigenous Muslim communities.
These communities have maintained unique traditions, dialects, and historical accounts that are intrinsically connected to Assam's heritage and cultural identity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
After Iran-Iraq, Donald Trump now targets Hindus of this country..., to be expelled from...
After Iran-Iraq, Donald Trump now targets Hindus of this country…, to be expelled from… New York: United States President Donald Trump-led government has revoked the deportation protection given to Nepali citizens. Now, about 7,500 Nepali citizens will have to leave the US. Earlier, America had imposed a ban on citizens of Muslim countries like Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. Nepal's Deportation Protection Revoked As per a report by Newsweek, the Trump administration stated that the current situation of Nepal is no longer like it was in 2015, because of which the deportation protection of Nepali citizens is being cancelled. In 2015, Nepal was devastated by a major earthquake, and the then US government had given deportation protection of Nepali citizens. In America, it is called TPS i.e. Temporary Protection. Under the Temporary Protection (TPS) US government guarantees security to those people who want to live in America due to the bad situation of their country. Trump Government's Decision In 2017, President Trump sought to terminate deportation protections for Nepali citizens. However, this effort was blocked by the Immigration Department. The current administration now argues that changed conditions in Nepal render these protections obsolete.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
You Did Well, Jaishankar Tells Multi-Party Teams On Return To India As Leaders Share Feedback
Last Updated: Sources said the delegations told Jaishankar that they were received well and the countries were willing to listen to India's side of the story On Friday, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met two delegations that have returned from the multi-country visits—one led by NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and the other by NDA alliance partner Shiv Sena's parliamentary party leader Shrikant Shinde—the youngest amongst all the delegate leaders. The Sule-led delegation visited countries like South Africa, Ethiopia, and Egypt, while those on Shinde's list were UAE, followed by countries like Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Sources said Jaishankar was told that many countries that they went to want India to sit across the table and have a dialogue with Pakistan. Some countries have even asked why India did not take a stand on the escalation between several other countries. It is learnt that the members explained to these countries that it was not possible to speak to Pakistan because it cannot be trusted due to its policy to support terror. The delegations expressed how they were made to feel welcome, and people in these countries were willing to listen to India's side of the story. It is also learnt that the delegation told the minister that there is more need for better communication with these countries so that India can present its view. It would not be fair to judge them assuming that they would be supporting Pakistan by virtue of being a Muslim nation. Through these visits, the countries also said India should seek deeper engagement with them, not just in trade and commerce, but on other softer issues like culture, tourism etc. The delegation also gave feedback to the government that it was important to have better dialogue and engage with Western media to be able to explain India's narrative better. The Shinde team, on the other hand, had a much better engagement. A moment of silence in the memory of those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack was observed in Sierra Leone and Liberia. In fact, in Liberia, it was done in Parliament and Shinde was asked to speak at the podium. Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the interaction of the teams to these countries, which have often been dismissed as insignificant, but will have a role to play in the future. 'These countries are not very prominent for many looking at it from a world view, but the kind of narrative that you have been able to bring back home. It is a great service to the country," the minister is said to have told the delegation. The delegation led by Shinde also expressed sentiments of the people of these countries who wanted better trade relations with India. The potential for investment and better trade could certainly be explored with deeper engagement, they said. Jaishankar was also told that Liberia, for example, has been looking out for a space to have its consulate in India. India is a great importer of rubber and rubber-related goods for which markets in these African countries can also be explored. These African countries can also be a great investment sector for mining, the delegation expressed. The delegation also added that there was a huge appreciation for India's role in UN peacekeeping and the kind of support India gave to these countries during Covid-19 by providing vaccines and other essential medicines, which is deeply appreciated. So far, five delegation members out of seven have met Jaishankar and shared the detailed feedback that they have been able to gather in their multi-party visits across many countries. The remaining two delegations from Ravi Shankar Prasad's team and Shashi Tharoor's team are likely to meet the minister some time next week. Some members have also submitted a detailed written report and note for the government of India to consider. A total of seven delegations, comprising 55 members—including MPs, former diplomats, and former Union ministers—were dispatched to 38 countries to explain India's stand on terrorism. These delegations were led by prominent leaders such as Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, NCP(SP)'s Supriya Sule, BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, Shiv Sena's Srikant Shinde, DMK's Kanimozhi, and JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
J-K: PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija Mufti offer namaz on occasion of Eid al-Adha in Srinagar
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti offered Namaz in Srinagar on Saturday on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha. Pointing out that the gates of the Jama Masjid have been 'locked again', PDP leader Iltija Mufti said, 'Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been put under house arrest again. I want to ask the NC government and the LG why Mirwaiz is still being placed under house arrest when you claim everything is normal. As India's only and the largest Muslim majority state, we Kashmiris have the right to worship... More than infrastructure, we need dignity and security of life.' After offering prayers, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said she also offered prayers for the people of Palestine. 'We pray that Palestine is soon free from the atrocities being committed by Israel. Unfortunately, the government, on this pious day, has denied permission to offer namaz in the Jama Masjid, and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been put under house arrest... I protest against the state government also, which is just watching everything and doing nothing,' former J-K Chief Minister said. 'Unfortunately, the government, on this pious day, has denied permission to offer namaz in the Jama Masjid and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been put under house arrest... I protest against the state government also, which is just watching everything and doing nothing,' she added. Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah extended greetings to Muslims across the country, calling the festival a time for peace and strengthening brotherhood. Speaking to media persons, CM Abdullah said, 'I hope this Eid brings better days ahead for the Muslims of India and the world. I hope it brings peace and strengthens brotherhood. While we are celebrating Eid, unfortunately, once again, permission was denied to offer namaz in Srinagar's iconic Jama Masjid. I dont know the basis of these decisions, but we need to learn to trust our people. These are the same people who came out to protest against the Pahalgam terrorist government should think about allowing namaz in the historic Jama Masjid.' Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The day is marked by prayers, charitable acts, and the ritual sacrifice of animals, with a message of sharing and empathy at its core. (ANI)
