Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Urges Hindu Families to Have More Children Amid Demographic Concerns
Guwahati, December 31, 2025: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked widespread debate with his recent appeal to Hindu families, particularly in regions where they are a minority or nearing minority status, to have at least two children—and ideally three—to address what he describes as a growing demographic imbalance in the state.
Speaking to reporters in Barpeta district on December 30, Sarma highlighted stark differences in birth rates across communities. “In areas dominated by religious minorities, the childbirth rate is higher, while among Hindus, it is gradually declining,” he said. “This difference is clearly visible.” He urged Hindu families to move away from single-child norms, warning that otherwise, “there will be no one to look after the family in the future.”
Sarma framed his remarks as a call for balance, simultaneously appealing to Muslim families to avoid having “seven or eight children.” He shared a video clip of his comments on social media, captioning it: “To prevent demographic change, in areas where the Hindu community is a minority or is on the verge of becoming one, families should have more than one child.”
The statements align with Sarma’s longstanding concerns about population shifts in Assam, often linked to higher fertility rates among Muslims and alleged illegal migration from Bangladesh. According to the 2011 Census—the last official count—Hindus constituted 61.47% of Assam’s population, while Muslims made up 34.22%. Sarma and other BJP leaders have repeatedly cited post-2011 trends, estimating the Muslim share has risen to around 39-40% by 2025, with projections of near parity by 2041 if unchecked.
These figures remain estimates, as the 2021 Census was postponed and no updated official data is available. Sarma has previously claimed that “indigenous” or Assamese-speaking Hindus now comprise only about 40% of the population.
The remarks come in the context of recent policy adjustments. On December 5, 2025, the Assam government amended its 2017 Population and Women Empowerment Policy, relaxing the two-child norm for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), tea garden workers, Moran, and Matak communities. Members of these groups are now eligible for government jobs, electoral participation, and self-help group incentives even with three children. The move was justified as a measure to protect vulnerable indigenous populations at risk of demographic decline.
Assam’s demographic discourse has long been intertwined with issues of migration, land rights, cultural identity, and indigenous protection—themes central to the state’s politics ahead of the expected 2026 assembly elections.
While Sarma’s comments have resonated with supporters concerned about preserving majority community interests, they have reignited discussions on population policies and communal harmony in a diverse state.
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