Refrain from child marriage, polygamy to claim indigenous status in Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to Bengali-speaking muslims

Guwahati: If the migrant Bangladesh Origin Bengali speaking Muslims called 'Miya' want to be recognized as indigenous people of the state they must refrain from practices such as child marriage and polygamy stated Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Addressing the media, Sarma said, "We have no objection if the Miyas try to become indigenous, but they have to stop child marriage, and polygamy and send their girls to schools and colleges." The Assam people have a culture. Assam people equate girls with power, they love girls, he added.

If Miyas want to be a native, then they should not allow their girls in the age group of 11-12 years to get married. They should enroll their girls in schools and Colleges to become doctors and engineers instead of sending them to Madrassa, he added.

Later Sarma said on X "We don't have an issue with anyone calling themselves as indigenous- provided they prohibit child marriage, do not engage in polygamy, encourage their children to pursue higher education, etc.- parameters which are an intrinsic part of the larger Assamese society."