Assam: Goria organisation urges Muslim voters to support BJP in Lok Sabha polls

GUWAHATI: The Assam Goria Parishad (AGP), representing the indigenous Muslim community of Assam, urged all Muslim residents of the state to support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

With over 40 lakh indigenous Muslims comprising five ethnic groups—Syed, Goria, Moria, Desi and Julah—residing in various parts of the state, the Assam Goria Parishad emphasized their gratitude towards Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his efforts in addressing their concerns.

Briefing the media in Guwahati, Assam Goria Parishad general secretary Rahmasa Ali expressed appreciation for CM Sarma's role in officially recognizing the five indigenous Assamese Muslim communities.

This recognition, sanctioned through a socio-economic survey approved by the Assam cabinet on December 8 last year, was based on a report from a cabinet sub-committee evaluating the cultural identity of these communities in December 2021.

Ali highlighted the Assam Goria Parishad’s longstanding advocacy, dating back to 2001, for the acknowledgment of indigenous Muslim communities in Assam, noting that previous administrations had not responded to their appeals.

However, under the leadership of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP-led government, their cause was acknowledged and steps were taken towards their socio-economic upliftment.

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Ali underscored the anticipated benefits of this recognition, including advancements in healthcare, education, cultural preservation, economic opportunities, skill development, and women's empowerment.

He also mentioned plans for reserved seats in educational institutions and job opportunities for unemployed youth from the community following the completion of the socio-economic survey conducted across Assam.

To facilitate this comprehensive assessment, district-level committees led by district commissioners have been formed by the Assam government.

Ali emphasized that the outcomes of this survey would inform targeted measures aimed at uplifting the indigenous Assamese Muslim communities socially, politically, academically, and economically.

CM Sarma’s proactive engagement with intellectuals and community representatives in 2023 led to the formation of sub-committees to address various issues facing indigenous Muslim communities from Assam.

These sub-committees recommended the implementation of a comprehensive socio-economic survey, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing their concerns.

Notably, the Goria and Moria communities are classified as indigenous Muslim groups in Assam.