NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi blamed the growth of Muslim population in the state on high birth rate among the community, dismissing suggestions that illegal migration from Bangladesh had skewed the demography of the state. The Congress chief minister also blamed it on low level of literacy among Muslims.

In an interview to a TV channel , Gogoi said the growth of Muslim population in Assam was higher than Hindus as the community give birth to more children due to poor rate of literacy. “It is because of low literacy... Illiteracy among the Muslims. Most of them are illiterate. Every family... six, seven, eight, nine, ten... It is because of illiteracy,” he told the channel. When repeatedly asked whether he was suggesting that illiterate people had more children, Gogoi said, “Yes, 100 per cent I believe... It is because of illiteracy.”

Following the Assam ethnic violence that erupted in July, it was widely suggested that illegal immigration of Muslims from Bangladesh, the resultant tussle for resources and insecurity over identity had resulted in the clashes.

Gogoi dismissed such analyses saying, “If you look at the 2001 census, the growth of Muslim population in Assam is less than the national average, almost 3%. In 2011 census also, growth of population in Assam is less than the national average. It is a clear indication that illegal immigration is on decline.”

Gogoi said even though there were around three lakh cases pending against suspected illegal immigrants in various tribunals, many would be dismissed eventually as it was very difficult to prove the allegations. The three-time CM also “challenged” the claim of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary that there were two lakh illegal immigrants in the BTC area, saying the figure was wrong.

Asked whether he was soft towards the Bodos during the recent clashes as the Bodoland People’s Front is a coalition partner of his government, Gogoi termed it as a wrong perception saying even the Bodos were accusing him of being soft towards Muslims. “It is absolutely wrong. It is a false propaganda. I don’t depend on them. I have 78 MLAs (Congress) out of 126. They (BPF) are part of the government but I don’t need their support (for the survival of the government). (If I needed) why did I arrest the Bodo MLA,” he said.

Gogoi, however, took full responsibility for the violence that claimed more than 80 lives in the state. “As the head of the state, definitely I am responsible,” he said.

