Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma To Hold Discussions With Muslim Intellectuals, Social Organisations Over Population Control Policy

Assam Chief Minister Himant Biswa Sarma is set to hold a detailed discussion on population control policy with 150 intellectuals from the Muslim community on Sunday (4 July).

The group would be further divided into eight different subgroups, each focusing on several important issues. Recommendations will be sought from them regarding the financial inclusion of women, their health, education and self-help groups, reports News18.

According to a CNN-News18 report, CM Sarma said that the minority population in Assam is around 37 per cent and "the condition of most part of this percentage of the population is of the deprived and uneducated lot".

He said that the women of the minority community cannot be blamed for their situation as they are under immense pressure from their families.

"However, it is time for them to show resistance and as a society, we need to carve a path for their empowerment," Sarma was quoted as saying.

It should be noted that the BJP-led government in Assam has decided to provide free education up to graduation for girl students belonging to the minority community.

Besides, the state Assembly had already passed a resolution to go ahead with the two-children policy.

Earlier, the Assam govt had announced that it will gradually implement the two-child policy in the state and that the violators would be unable to contest any local or panchayat elections. Besides, they will also be deprived of the benefits of the government schemes.

Sarma will also interact with various social organisations to seek a consensus on the population control policy.

The Assam CM has said that he would like the support of the minority community for the bill rather than bulldozing it in the Assembly.

However, Sarma made it clear that he would remain firm on his ideology.

“I will reach out to the community for their empowerment, while I still stand firm with my ideology,” Sarma said.

Sarma further said that empowering Muslim women is on thee top of his priority.