The Opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Wednesday opposed the “socio-economic census of indigenous Muslims of Assam” saying it will create divisions among people of the community.

“This is nothing but an attempt to divide the Muslims in Assam. I warn the government to refrain from indulging in such divisive politics,” AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam said here. “Why do we need a census on religious lines?” he asked.

The AIUDF said the move was a strategy to divide the Muslims of Assam.

“The Muslims in Assam study in Assamese-medium schools and speak Assamese. In every aspect of life, they use Assamese language. It is unfortunate that even after that, they are seen as doubtful citizens and have been differentiated. We cannot accept it,” Islam said.

He said the government’s move was uncalled for as Assam had not yet got a widely-accepted definition of “indigenous” people of the state.

“I don’t know how the government will carry out a population census to identify indigenous Muslims. We want the government to clarify who are the indigenous people of Assam. There is no definition of indigenous people in Assam as well in India. How will the government detect indigenous people?” he asked.

Aminul asked the BJP-led government in Assam to learn from the Delhi Assembly poll results and said: “Assam BJP must stop the politics of hatred and division. They should talk about development.”

Dispur on February 6 had announced a meeting with representatives of indigenous Muslim communities to discuss the implementation of the socio-economic census.

However, during the meeting on February 11, it was proposed by the stakeholders that the word “indigenous” should be dropped.

“We will establish a Development Corporation for the Indigenous Muslims which will take up various programs aimed at the holistic development of this section of the society, including self-employment activities, provisioning banking linkages etc. #AssamBudget2019,” cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had tweeted.