A few mosques and dargahs are among more than 800 religious destinations to be provided ₹10 lakh each for infrastructure improvement. But the focus of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party appears to be on creating a development corporation for the indigenous Muslims, who have been demanding a council like some ethnic groups. According to the 2011 census, Assam has 1.18 crore Muslims, out of which the indigenous or Assamese Muslims are estimated to be 72 lakh. Prior to the 2016 Assembly elections, the BJP had promised to protect the identity of the indigenous Muslims against the larger Bengali-speaking migrant Muslims. Such a development council “will take up various programmes aimed at the holistic development of this section of the society,” Mr. Sarma said in his Budget speech.

Source: The Hindu February 06, 2019 10:30 UTC