Miya Muslims are presumably seen as those Muslims who have migrated from East Pakistan now Bangladesh to Assam and speak Bengali Language widely adopting Assamese Language, Culture and Identity as Neo Assamese. Now CAA has been notified on 11th March, 2024, concerns are being raised what would happen to those persons adhering to Islam, who could not prove their citizenship during NRC in the state. They say “Miya” community could gain political power, which would harm Assam’s culture, heritage, and existence. The BJP has targeted Miya Muslims negatively, but has also wooed the indigenous Muslims of Assam. In December 2023, the Assam Cabinet recognized five communities as indigenous Assamese Muslims: Syed, Goriya, Moriya, Desi, and Julha discriminating Miya Muslims.
Bengali Muslims have a long history in Assam. British encouraged the migration of people from Bengal to Assam. It must be borne in mind that now the term Miya is a discriminatory term in reference to CAA and NRC that they are not Indian citizens and should be dealt accordingly. Another designation for Miya Muslims in Assam is “Charua Muslim,” signifying Muslims residing in the chars (riverine islands), a preference evident in their settlement patterns. They are also referred to as “Pamua Muslim” denoting Muslim farmers, given that agriculture serves as their primary source of livelihood.
Miya Muslims in Assam have a population of almost over 10 million which is spread throughout Assam covering 35% of the state population as of 2021 estimation, though they are mainly concentrated in Barpeta, Dhuburi, Goalpara, Kamrup, Nagaon, Hojai, Darrang, Chirang, Kokrajhar, South Salmara, Nalbari, Morigaon, Sonitpur and Bongai Gaon.
In 1961, the Census Commissioner reported that the Na-Asamiyas were honest in their intent to learn the Assamese language and send their children to Assamese-medium schools. The migrant Muslims thus came to be known as the Na-Asamiyas. To this day, there is not a single Bengali medium school in the areas dominated by the Na-Asamiyas.
With the official acceptance of Assamese language and close proximity to Goalpariya speakers, the Miya have gradually also developed a creole Miya home language. The Miya officially adopted the Assamese language during the language movement. In formal and official meetings, they are able to switch to Standard Assamese.
Miyan Muslims have faced hundreds of discriminatory incidents including, Communal Rights -1950, Nellie massacre, Nagabanda, Chaulkhowa massacre- 1983, Amtenga, Tuslijora massacre- 1991, Bashbari massacre- 1994, Naryanguri massacre -2012, and Udalguri massacre -2008.
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