Return Of The Native

Who is an Assamese? It’s a question that has been begging an answer for decades; an issue that had spawned a mass movement and sparked a secessionist fire that is yet to be doused. A question that led to a controversial exercise to update the NRC which threw up even more questions but no clear answer. In the hazy landscape of Assamese sub-nationalism, the quest to find the ‘native’ of the land has thrown up another question: who is an Assamese Muslim? For an estimated four million people of Assam, it’s an identity that separates them from the Muslims of East Pakistan origin—the so-called Miyas, the Bengali-speaking Muslims who are at the heart of the widespread anti-foreigner sentiment in the state.

On April 15, a survey quietly went online to identify people from three communities who are considered native Muslims—Goriya, Moriya and Deshi. Though another community, the Julhas, are also considered indigenous Muslims, they have been kept out of the survey till certain issues over their ancestry are sorted out. “This (the survey) was necessary as some migrant Muslims are trying to  bring all Muslims on a single platform. Our religion and names may be the same but the indigenous Muslims have a distinct identity,” says Syed Muminul Aowal, chief convenor of JSPA, a body representing 30 organisations. The JSPA is conducting the survey.

The Goriyas are those who converted from various indigenous groups and tribes, while the Moriyas’ ancestors were brought by Ahom kings as artisans, particularly to make weapons. Many people of two these groups even have Hindu surnames like Hazarika, Bora, Saikia and Bhuyan. The Deshis are converts exclusively from the Koch-Rajbongshi community. According to the 2011 census, Muslims account for 34.22 per cent of Assam’s 33-million population. The JSPA claims Assam today has about 14 million Muslims, of whom 40 lakh are indigenous Muslims.

Though it is not official, the genesis of the survey lies in a similar exercise envisaged by the BJP-led government in the state in February last year. However, it saw little process as the Covid pandemic broke out. Aowal says that about 50,000 people had registered within the first five days. Applicants have three months to register. Unlike the NRC, where the cut-off date for inclusion on March 24, 1971, the online survey goes further back in time to determine the ancestry of indigenous Muslims—prior to British annexation of Assam in 1826.

However, the initiative is being frowned upon by some leaders who see it as a ploy to divide the larger Muslim community. Azizur Rahman, ex-chief advisor to All Assam Minority Students’ Union, says the move reeked of politics. “They’re trying to divide the Muslims. If they are so serious about it why can’t they get the census done by the government? Even we will cooperate then.”

AIUDF leader Haider Hussain Bora, a Goriya, says the move will not be able to create any division among the Muslims. Gauhati HC advocate Hafiz Rashid Choudhury feels the perception that Bengali-speaking Muslims were taking away all State benefits was the reason behind the survey.