GUWAHATI, Aug 30 - Demanding that the State�s indigenous Muslims be categorised as Original Inhabitants (OIs) in the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Sadou Asom Gariya Mariya Yuva Chatra Parishad and Muslim Kalyan Parishad today alleged that a conspiracy was afoot to deprive the indigenous Muslims of Assam who have been living in the State and enriching its national life since the past 800 years.
�Apparently, a plot has been hatched to bracket the indigenous Muslims with the immigrant Muslims and render them second-class citizens. When we met the NRC Coordinator earlier and submitted memorandums to the State Government demanding an OI status for us in the NRC, the Coordinator assured us that none of the indigenous groups would be termed OIs. But during the last hearing in the Supreme Court, it was revealed that 20 lakh out of the 48 lakh applicants were OIs. This smacks of a sinister conspiracy against the indigenous Muslims,� Moinul Haque, general secretary of Sadou Asom Gariya Mariya Yuva Chatra Parishad, said at a press conference today.
The Parishad also questioned the basis on which the 20 lakh applicants had been termed as OIs, and demanded a white paper on the issue.
�We also appeal to all espousing the cause of Assamese nationalism to make their stand clear on the indigenous Muslims namely, Gariya-Mariya, Deshi, Juluha, Maimol, etc., of the State,� Haque said.
The Parishad will hold a mass convention on the issue on September 17 where it will chalk out its course of action.
