Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the state government will form a “Population Army” of 1,000 young people to distribute contraceptives and raise awareness about population control in Muslim-dominated districts.
In response to a question from Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed in the Assam Assembly on Monday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed there was a population increase in the state’s western and central regions.
“We will engage around 1,000 youths from Char-Chapori areas (riverine sand bars) to create awareness about population control and they will also distribute contraceptives among the people in the Muslim-dominated areas in the state,” CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
“Aside from that, we intend to establish a separate ASHA workforce. The distinct force will be made up of 10,000 ASHA workers who will be entrusted with raising awareness about birth control options “Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his thoughts.
According to the Assam chief minister, the Muslim population grew by 29% in Assam between 2001 and 2011, while the Hindu population grew by 10%.
“In Assam, Hindu population growth was 16 percent in 2001, whereas Muslim population increase was 29 percent. In 1991, Muslim population increase was 34%, while Hindu population growth was 19%. Between 1991 and 2001, Muslim population growth decreased from 34% to 29%, while Hindu population growth decreased from 19% to 16%. However, between 2001 and 2011, the Muslim population growth rate stayed constant at 29%. Between 2001 and 2011, the Hindu population grew at a pace of 10%, down from 16% in 2001 “Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his thoughts.
In order to combat population increase, he sought assistance from the Opposition Congress and the AIUDF.
“The main cause of economic inequality and poverty among Assamese Muslims is population growth. We are not anti-Muslims; we are anti-poverty activists “Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his thoughts.
The Assam Chief Minister also stated that the administration was considering raising the minimum age for women to marry.
