Guwahati: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists and Jains will be eligible for a certification that will state that they are bona fide minorities resident in Assam.
The Assam Government on Sunday announced that minority communities in Assam will be given minority certification, according to local newspapers.
Cabinet Minister Keshab Mahanta said that the government has decided to issue certificates to all the minority religious communities living in Assam.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The communities are: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists and Jains.
The communities can file applications regarding this to the Assam Minorities Development Board.
Keshab Mahanta said that the proposal for the certification was given by the Assam Minorities Development Board and this board will execute all the procedures required.
This is an interesting development in the context of the continual issue of ‘outsider-insider’ and ‘illegal immigrants’ that has dominated political discourse in the state for decades. Exactly what is the reason or objective behind the move has not been spelt out.
Local press says that the the minister did not exactly explain how to apply for the certification or if there would be any other criteria in the application process.
It was not even made clear if the certification would be useful or valid in applying for jobs or other benefits related to the central government.
Minority certification for 6 religious communities in Assam added by NEWSNET DESK on
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What is the real game plan? Segregation of Muslim population into two camps, legal minorities and illegal immigrants.
Will become the basis for sending them to the detention centres.