Assam is perhaps the only Indian state with a unique Muslim population that constitutes at least four different groups, each with its own set of expectations, aspirations and concerns. Axomiya-Muslim (also known as Goriya or Khilonjia), Bengali-speaking (Bhotia), Juluha or up-country (UP, Bihar etc.) and immigrant Muslims (miya).
Without understanding the history and origins of these four communities and the composite culture created by them, one will only fail to judge the complexities they bring in terms of Assam’s social and the political landscape. For example, all these years most political parties failed to understand that the illegal migrants issue had caused an immense setback to the Khilonjia Muslims who are looking for a solution.
The BJP was quick to understand this and it relentlessly pursued the illegal migrants issue in the run-up to the Assam polls, knowing fully well that it would help them in getting the support of the Axomiya, Bhotia and Juluha Muslims. The ‘Jati-Mati-Bheti’ slogan that became the basis of the BJP’s campaign not only polarised the voters in terms of nationality but also seems to have divided Assam’s numerically strongest minority community into Bengali-speaking ‘migrant’ Muslims and ‘indigenous’ Assamese Muslims.