Rights groups and Muslim leaders accuse Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of fuelling religious divisions
GUWAHATI — The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is under fire from Muslim community leaders and human rights activists over its decision to issue gun licences exclusively to non-Muslims living in border and “sensitive” areas. Critics argue that the move is discriminatory and could deepen communal mistrust in a state with a history of ethnic and religious tensions.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Sarma confirmed the launch of the initiative under the government’s ‘Setu Portal’ citizen service system. He claimed the step was aimed at “boosting the sense of security” among the so-called “indigenous population” in vulnerable areas. “We are not distributing guns, only licences, and this is to help people in certain areas defend themselves,” Sarma said.
The policy will allow applicants who are original residents of Assam and non-Muslims to seek firearm licences if they live in districts labelled “sensitive” by local authorities. Applicants must also prove they face a “genuine threat” before being considered eligible.
However, Muslim residents fear that this definition of “indigenous” is being used to systematically exclude them. Advocate Abdul Rahman, a community leader from Dhubri, told Clarion India: “This is a direct message that Muslims are not trusted. It is dangerous because it arms only one community in mixed areas, which can lead to fear and violence.”
Civil rights groups have also condemned the move. Human rights activist Rukhsana Ahmed said, “The government is playing with fire. Assam has seen enough bloodshed in the past. Selectively arming one group while marginalising another is a recipe for disaster.”
Assam has experienced repeated waves of communal unrest, often targeting Muslims, especially those labelled as “migrants” from neighbouring Bangladesh, despite many having lived in the state for generations. Demographic changes, political narratives, and polarising rhetoric have increased mistrust between communities.
Opposition leaders, including members of the Congress party, have accused Sarma’s BJP government of using the policy to consolidate its Hindu voter base ahead of future elections. “This is not about security; it is about creating an armed divide between Hindus and Muslims,” said Congress MLA Anwar Hussain.
Sarma, however, dismissed the criticism, claiming the initiative is about “protecting indigenous people” from threats in border areas. He insisted that all applicants will undergo strict security checks and verification before being granted licences. “Peace comes when people feel secure in their own homes,” he said.
But for many Muslims in Assam, the decision is like another step in a long process of marginalisation. As Abdul Rahman put it: “Security should mean safety for all communities, not just one. Otherwise, it’s not security — it’s discrimination.”
