Demographics of Assam

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The issue of illegal influx has a 40-year history, starting with the anti-foreigner agitation that began in 1979 under the leadership of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). In 1985, after hundreds of people died in course of Independent India’s biggest mass uprising, the AASU, and other agitation groups signed an agreement with the Centre called the Assam Accord. It fixed 25 March 1971 as the cut-off date for detection and expulsion of illegal migrants, meaning anyone found entering India after this date were to be detected and sent back.

According to an Assam government white paper, between 1985 and 2012, 2,442 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh had been expelled from the state. On 1 September 2020, when Assam final NRC list was released, It was found that 19,06,657 people names have been excluded (which is about 6% of the state population), out of total 3.11 crore state population.{{cite news |title=Assam final NRC list released: 19,06,657 people excluded, 3.11 crore make it to citizenship list |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/assam-final-nrc-list-out-over-19-lakh-people-excluded-1593769-2019-08-31 |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=India Today |date=31 August 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-nrc-1-9-million-names-excluded-from-final-list/story-KOlZwevNzXlKgrhpbDZvlO.html|title = Over 19 lakh excluded, 3.1 crore included in Assam NRC final list|date = 31 August 2019}}

Assam has two valleys - Brahmaputra Valley/Assam Valley (dominated by the Assamese and other indigenous tribals like Rabhas, Morans, Chutiyas, Ahoms, Tea tribes, Koch Rajbongshis, Tiwa etc.) 2) Barak Valley (dominated by Bengalis). While Bodoland region of Brahmaputra Valley is dominated by Bodo, followed by the Assamese community. Also it have three hills district comprising Karbi Anglong (East & West) and Dima Hasao (dominated mainly by indigenous Karbi and Dimasa tribes respectively).https://assam.gov.in/

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Languages spoken in Brahmaputra Valley (2011){{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX|title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue|website=censusindia.gov.in|access-date=27 April 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/opinion/news-battleground-assam-a-tale-of-two-valleys-and-the-caa-quandary-assam-bengal-polls-2021-685761|title = Battleground Assam a tale of two valleys and the CAA quandary Assam bengal polls 2021 | Opinion News – India TV|date = 18 February 2021}}

| label1 = Assamese (official)

| value1 = 55.66

| color1 = yellow

| label2 = Bengali

| value2 = 22.1

| color2 = brown

| label3 = Hindi

| value3 = 7.6

| color3 = Orange

| label4 = Bodo

| value4 = 5.13

| color4 = pink

| label5 = Others

| value5 = 9.52

| color5 = red

}}

{{See also|Assamese Language Movement}}

The population of the Brahmaputra Valley is 27,580,977 according to the 2011 census report by the Assam government. Assamese is the official language of the Brahmaputra Valley and is spoken by 15.1 million people comprising 55.65% of the valley population. Bengali is spoken by 6.09 million people representing 22.1% of the valley, Hindi is spoken by 2.1 million comprising 7.61% of the region, Bodo is spoken by 1.41 million comprising 5.13% of the valley's population and 2.88 million people speak various indigenous tribal languages of Assam, such as Santali, Karbi, Lalung, Hmar, Deori, Rabha, Mishing, Koch, Rajbangshi, Sadri, Garo, Dimasa, Gondi, Savara, Gorkha, Halam, Rengma, Ao and Motak.{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX|title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue|website=censusindia.gov.in|access-date=27 April 2022}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Languages spoken in Barak Valley (2011){{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=3 September 2020}}

|label1 = Bengali

|value1 = 80.84

|color1 = Orange

|label2 = Hindi

|value2 = 10

|color2 = red

|label3 = Manipuri

|value3 = 3.49

|color3 = yellow

|label4 = Bishnupriya Manipuri

|value4 = 1.38

|color4 = pink

|label5 = Dimasa

|value5 = 0.6

|color5 = purple

|label6 = Tripuri

|value6 = 0.59

|color6 = violet

|label7 = Odia

|value7 = 0.53

|color7 = green

|label8 = Nepali

|value8 = 0.14

|color8 = blue

|label9 = Others

|value9 = 2.43

|color9 = brown}}

{{See also|Bengali Language Movement (Barak Valley)}}

As per (2011) language census report, Bengali is the official as well as the most spoken language of the region with approximately 2,930,378 native speakers.

Hindi, Manipuri, Bishnupriya and Dimasa are the next most widely spoken languages with 362,459, 126,498, 50,019 and 21,747 native speakers, respectively. Tripuri, Odia, Nepali and Marwari are also spoken by a considerable minority, while 2.43% of the total population speaks other tribal languages.

As per as census of India report 2011, around 14,816,414 Assamese speaking population lives in India, thus constituting 1.26% of the nation's population.{{cite web |title=Abstract of Speakers' Strength of Languages and Mother Tongues - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=14 March 2022}}

{{Historical populations

|title = Historical Assamese Population in Assam

|type =

|footnote =

|align = right

|width =

|state =

|shading =

|pop_name =

|percentages =

|source = https://www.asianpa.org › k_...PDF

Assamese Language in the Light of Census - Asian Population Association

|1951 | 4,971,229

|1961 | 6,784,271

|1971 | 8,905,544

|1991 | 12,958,088

|2001 | 13,010,478

|2011 | 15,095,797

|}}

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Languages of Assam (2011){{Cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Part-A.pdf | title=Distribution of the 22 scheduled languages-India/States/Union Territories - 2011 census |access-date=23 August 2021 |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

| label1 = Assamese

| value1 = 48.38

| color1 = gold

| label2 = Bengali

| value2 = 28.92

| color2 = salmon

| label3 = Bodo

| value3 = 4.51

| color3 = purple

| label4 = Hindi

| value4 = 3.21

| color4 = orange

| label5 = Sadri

| value5 = 2.29

| color5 = red

| label6 = Mishing

| value6 = 1.98

| color6 = skyblue

| label7 = Nepali

| value7 = 1.91

| color7 = pink

| label8 = Karbi

| value8 = 1.64

| color8 = darkblue

|value9=7.16|label9=Others|color9=Grey}}

As per 2011 census, Assam state had around 31.2 million people, out of which (15 million) were Assamese speakers comprising 48% of the state population, while (9 million) were Bengali speakers comprising 29% of the state population, and 3.21% spoke Hindi and its dialects.{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=19 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/voting-on-religious-lines-bengali-speakers-may-help-bjp-congress-win-in-assam/story-d0P8ZgQGEZS4G39oWz8TJK.html|title=Voting on religious lines, Bengali speakers may help BJP, Congress win in Assam|date=21 April 2019}}

Decadal percentage of Assamese speakers in Assamhttps://www.asianpa.org › k_...PDF

Assamese Language in the Light of Census - Asian Population Association

According to reports, in 1971 the number of Assamese-speaking populace was 60.89% in the census, with a population of (8.9 million), higher than their numbers in 2011. While the Bengali and Hindi-speaking population were at 19.70% (2.8 million) and 5.42% (7.9 lakhs).{{cite news |title=Assamese speaking population decreasing alarmingly |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/india-critical-partner-for-us-in-meeting-indo-pacific-challenge-says-pentagon-525237 |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=The Sentinel |date=30 June 2018}}{{cite news |title=Assamese Speaking Population Declines To 48.38 % |url=https://www.pratidintime.com/assamese-speaking-population-declines-to-48-38/ |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=Pratidine Times |date=29 June 2018}} The Assamese speakers constituted 48% of the State population according to the 2011 Census, and it is predicted that the 2021 Census (currently under way) will reveal the percentage to dip lower below 40%.{{cite news|url=https://assamtribune.com/assamese-speakers-in-assam-an-insecure-future/|title = Assamese speakers in Assam: An insecure future?|date = 10 April 2021}} However, If Bengali-majority Barak valley region is excluded, then the percentage of native Assamese speakers in Assam alone will rise directly to 55.65% from 48% as per 2011 census figures calculation.{{cite news |last1=Bhandari |first1=Shashwat |title=Battleground Assam A tale of two valleys and the CAA quandary Assam bengal polls 2021 {{!}} Opinion News – India TV |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/opinion/news-battleground-assam-a-tale-of-two-valleys-and-the-caa-quandary-assam-bengal-polls-2021-685761 |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=India TV News |date=18 February 2021 |language=en}}

In January 2019, the Assam's peasant organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) claimed that there are around 20 lakh (2 million) Hindu Bangladeshis in Assam.{{cite news |title=20 lakh Bangladeshi Hindus to become Indians if Citizenship Bill is passed: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/20-lakh-bangladeshi-hindus-to-become-indians-if-citizenship-bill-is-passed-krishak-mukti-sangram-samiti/articleshow/67574226.cms?from=mdr |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=The Economic Times |date=17 January 2019}} According to the census data, the number of Hindu immigrants is difficult to ascertain and have been largely exaggerated.{{cite news |title=Citizenship Amendment Act: BJP chasing ghosts in Assam; Census data shows number of Hindu immigrants may have been exaggerated |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/citizenship-amendment-bill-bjp-chasing-ghosts-in-assam-as-census-data-shows-number-of-hindu-immigrants-couldve-been-exaggerated-5640511.html |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=Firstpost |date=18 December 2019}}

Census of India between (2001-2011) have shown that Bangladeshi Muslim population grows 5-7% in Assam specially in the bordering districts over the past decade.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Manan |title=Bangladeshi Muslim population grows 5-7% in Assam and West Bengal |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bangladeshi-muslim-population-grows-5-7-in-assam-and-west-bengal-2015180 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=DNA India |date=1 September 2014 |language=en}} In February 2020, the Assam Minority Development Board announced plans to segregate illegal Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants from the indigenous Muslims of the state, though some have expressed problems in identifying an indigenous Muslim person. According to the board, there are 1.3 crore (13 million) Muslims in the state, of which 9 million are of Bangladeshi origin.{{cite news |title=BJP wants to segregate Assamese Muslims from Bangladeshi Muslims, but some ask how|url=https://theprint.in/india/bjp-wants-to-segregate-assamese-muslims-from-bangladeshi-muslims-but-some-ask-how/363736/?amp |first=Mytithili |last=Hazarika|access-date=30 January 2021 |work=The Print |date=12 February 2020 |language=en-IN}}{{cite news |title=Assam plans survey to identify indigenous Muslim population |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam-plans-survey-to-identify-indigenous-muslim-population/article30780667.ece |last=PTI |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=10 February 2020 |language=en-IN}} Allegedly the number of 'illegal immigrants' in Assam of all religions is about 1 crore (10 million) and are scattered across the length and breadth of the state.{{cite news |title=TIME8 News {{!}} 1 Crore Illegal Bangladeshis' Name Included In Assam NRC: Shiladitya Dev |url=https://www.time8.in/1-crore-illegal-bangladeshis-name-included-in-assam-nrc-shiladitya-dev/ |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=TIME8 News |date=31 August 2019}}{{cite news |title=1 Crore Illegal Bangladeshis Residing In Assam: Dipanka Nath |url=https://www.pratidintime.com/1-crore-illegal-bangladeshis-residing-in-assam-dipanka-nath/ |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=Pratidin Time |date=17 January 2020}} A report reveals that out of total 33 districts in Assam, Bangladeshis dominate almost 15 districts of Assam.{{cite news |title=Hari Shankar Brahma report reveals illegal Bangladeshis dominates 15 out of 33 Assam districts, massive threats to indigenous people {{!}} Indiablooms - First Portal on Digital News Management |url=https://www.indiablooms.com/news-details/N/34467/hari-shankar-brahma-report-reveals-illegal-bangladeshis-dominates-15-out-of-33-assam-districts-massive-threats-to-indigenous-people.html |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=Indiablooms.com |date=19 September 2017 |language=en}}

Religion in Assam is closely related to ethnicity, closely around 65% of Assamese people, 90% of Bodo tribe, 83% of Karbi tribe, 95% of Ahom tribe, 94% of Rabha tribe, 97% of Mishing tribe, 99% of Dimasa tribe are mainly Hindu by religion. Christianity is mainly practised by 9% of Assamese Community, 10% of Bodo tribe, 20% of Tea Tribe & 15% of Karbi tribe respectively.{{cite web | url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17563/IN | title=Miri in India }}{{cite web | url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17922/IN | title=Rabha in India }}{{cite web | url=https://blog.cpsindia.org/2016/09/religion-data-of-census-2011-xxix.html?m=1 | title=Religion Data of Census 2011: XXIX Northeast ST }}{{cite book |last1=Saikia |first1=Yasmin |title=Fragmented Memories: Struggling to be Tai-Ahom in India |date=2004 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=082238616X |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WfSmsuO6QugC |language=en}}[https://books.google.com/books?id=_YYnwp8e5VYC Ethnic Issues, Secularism and Conflict Resolution in North East India], pp. 145, Concept Publishing Company, 2006, ISBN 9788180691348, ... Amongst the plains tribals in the state of Assam, the Bodos are the largest group ...Hanse, H.M. (2007). Traditional Dwelling Process of Karbis. In P.C. Patniak & D.Borah (Eds), Tribes of India: Identity, Culture, and Lore (pp.61–79) Guwahati: Angik Prakashan{{Cite book |title=The Karbis of North-East India |last=Phangcho |first=P.C. |publisher=AngGik Prakashan |year=2003 |location=Guwahati}}{{Cite book |title=Tribes of India: Identity, Culture, and Lore (Special Focus on the Karbis of Assam) |last=Terang |first=C.K. |publisher=Angik Prakashan |year=2007 |editor=P.C. Patnaik |editor2=D. Borah |location=Guwahati |chapter=Festival and Beliefs of the Karbi Tribe}}{{cite web| url = https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX| title = Reference at censusindia.gov.in}} About 26% of all Ethnic Assamese are Muslim by faith.{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assamese-muslims-recognised-as-a-distinct-indigenous-community/article65606802.ece | title=Assamese Muslims recognised as a distinct indigenous community | newspaper=The Hindu | date=6 July 2022 }} Majority of 66% of the Assam Bengalis are Muslim by faith, & a significant population of them about 34% adheres to Hindu faith.{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-role-of-language-and-religion-in-assam-battle-101616533256395.html | title=The role of language and religion in Assam battle | date=24 March 2021 }} Immigrants from other parts of India, like Marwaris, Biharis, Nepalis, Uttar Pradeshis, Odias etc are mostly Hindu with minority being Muslims.{{cite magazine |title=Bihar-Assam row threatens to turn into full-fledged ethnic strife |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/20031201-bihar-assam-row-threatens-to-turn-into-full-fledged-ethnic-strife-791452-2003-11-30 |magazine=India Today |date=1 December 2003 |access-date=24 September 2024}}{{cite news |title=Gogoi backs Marwari entry |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/gogoi-backs-marwari-entry/cid/679791 |work=The Telegraph |date=27 February 2005 |access-date=24 September 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Sarmah |first1=Chavan K. |date=8 September 2020 |title=Population Dynamics and Gorkha Community in Assam |url=https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/population-dynamics-and-gorkha-community-in-assam |work=Sikkime Express |access-date=24 September 2024}}

File:Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati.jpg]]

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in Assam (2011){{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2012|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}

|label1 = Hinduism|color1 =orange

|value1 = 61.47

|label2 = Islam|color2 = Green

|value2 = 34.22

|label3 = Christianity|color3 = Blue

|value3 = 3.74

|label4 = Buddhism|color4 = Yellow

|value4 = 0.18

|label5 = Jainism|color5 = Brown

|value5 = 0.08

|label6 = Sikhism|color6 = DarkKhaki

|value6 = 0.07

|label7 = Animism|color7 = pink

|value7 = 0.09

|label8 = Other or not religious|color8 = Black

|value8 = 0.16

|value9 =0.03 atheist | color9 = violet

}}

File:Basistha mandir.JPG in Guwahati.]]

According to the 2011 census, 61.47% were Hindus, 34.22% were Muslims.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/census-2011-religion-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/article1-1384347.aspx|title=Census 2011 data rekindles 'demographic invasion' fear in Assam|access-date=26 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905104547/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/census-2011-religion-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/article1-1384347.aspx|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=dead|date=26 August 2015}} Christian minorities (3.7%) are found among the Scheduled Tribe and Castes population.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece|title=India's religions by numbers|date=26 August 2015|access-date=5 August 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110201326/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece|archive-date=10 January 2016|url-status=live}} Other religions followed include Jainism (0.1%), Buddhism (0.2%), Sikhism (0.1%) and Animism (among Khamti, Phake, Aiton etc. communities). Many Hindus in Assam are followers of the Ekasarana Dharma sect of Hinduism, which gave rise to Namghar, designed to be simpler places of worship than traditional Hindu temples.

Out of 32 districts of Assam, 11 are Muslim-majority and 5 districts have significant population according to the 2011 census of India. The districts are Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Darrang, South Salmara, Hojai and Bongaigaon. Significant Muslim populated districts are Cachar, Nalbari, Kokrajhar, Chirang and Kamrup.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-majority-districts-in-Assam-up/articleshow/48682463.cms|title=Muslim majority districts in Assam up|website=The Times of India|date=26 August 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104231940/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-majority-districts-in-Assam-up/articleshow/48682463.cms|archive-date=4 January 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/assam-muslim-growth-is-higher-in-districts-away-from-border/|title=Assam Muslim growth is higher in districts away from border|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223192413/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/assam-muslim-growth-is-higher-in-districts-away-from-border/|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=live|date=31 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/census-2011-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/story-oZUhBaXPNupGBmGQirjV0I.html|title=Census 2011 data rekindles 'demographic invasion' fear in Assam|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104231940/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/census-2011-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/story-oZUhBaXPNupGBmGQirjV0I.html|archive-date=4 January 2016|url-status=live|date=26 August 2015}}

• People of Assam
• Miya people
• Bengali Hindus in Assam
• Meitei people in Assam
• Islam in Assam
• Hinduism in Assam
• Christianity in Assam
• Political Demography of Assam

{{reflist}}

Category:Assam