Assam government committed to protect women, sacred sites, and indigenous rights: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reaffirmed his government’s steadfast dedication to safeguarding the state's cultural and social fabric. 

Emphasizing the administration's clear agenda, Sarma highlighted the implementation of stringent measures aimed at ensuring the safety of women, protecting sacred sites, and defending the rights of indigenous communities. "This government will be remembered for its unwavering commitment to preserving Assam’s identity against illegal encroachment," said CM Sarma.

Sarma emphasised the importance of protecting young women's health and well-being, regardless of their religious background.

"Whether Hindu or Muslim, daughters are the symbol of their mother. Their health and well-being is our responsibility," Sarma declared. He painted a stark picture of the consequences of early marriage, describing young mothers as "lean and thin" with "no blood in their bodies" after multiple pregnancies by their early twenties.

The Chief Minister challenged both Hindu and Muslim legislators to take action against child marriage, urging them to use their public platforms to discourage marriages before the age of 18. He highlighted the stark health disparities between young women in different communities, claiming that "80% of the girls" show visible differences by age 24.

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Sarma also broached the topic of polygamy, expressing his government's intention to introduce legislation on the matter. He provocatively suggested that if polygamy is indeed more prevalent among Hindus, as some claim, then perhaps the ban should start there. "Please support us there," he challenged his opponents.

The Chief Minister's speech underlined his commitment to addressing these issues across religious lines. "If I can be a Hindu and feel the pain of a Muslim girl, why can't you understand as you took birth from the same mother?" Sarma questioned, calling for empathy and action from all quarters.

The chief minister further stated with regards to the issuance of Aadhaar Cards that the state government has successfully intervened to facilitate the issuance of Aadhaar cards for 9.35 lakh residents whose applications had been stalled for over four years. 

"The UIDAI had blocked the issuance of Aadhaar cards for these individuals when they provided their biometric data between February 2019 and August 2019," Sarma stated. He explained that despite extensive efforts, the state was unable to establish a clear link between the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Aadhaar, leading to the impasse.

However, on July 29, 2024, the Assam government formally requested the central government to resolve the matter and allow the issuance of Aadhaar cards. Following this appeal, the Centre instructed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on August 27, 2024, to proceed with the Aadhaar issuance for these individuals.