Assam CM urges non-natives to list Assamese as mother tongue

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged people from other states to list 'Assamese' as their mother tongue in the ongoing Census, citing a decline in Assamese speakers from 59.53% in 1971 to 48.38% in 2011. The appeal, made during Independence Day events, is seen as part of the BJP's strategy to position itself as protector of indigenous communities ahead of the 2027 Census.