Assam to Enforce New Domicile Policy, Introduce ‘Love Jihad’ Law

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a new domicile policy that will restrict government job eligibility to individuals born in the state. During a BJP Executive meeting in Guwahati, Sarma outlined the plan as a response to the state’s evolving demographic concerns, which he described as critical issues of “life and death.”

The policy aims to manage population control and address the issue of illegal immigration. Sarma also proposed conditions for recognizing Bengali-speaking Bangladeshi Muslims, known as ‘Miya,’ as indigenous to Assam, reflecting a broader strategy to safeguard local interests.

In addition, Sarma revealed plans to introduce a law imposing life imprisonment for cases of ‘love jihad,’ following similar legislation recently passed in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2024, which targets severe cases of forced or deceptive religious conversions, will serve as a model for Assam’s forthcoming law.