Baksa : The number of Bengali Hindus marked as D-voters (doubtful voters) in Assam has fallen sharply from 200,000 to 25,000 over the past five years, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Wednesday.

Speaking on the longstanding citizenship verification issue that has affected the community for years, Sarma indicated the problem could be “nearly resolved by next year” if current trends continue.

The significant decline comes as most Bengali Hindus are now successfully challenging their cases in court by establishing their refugee status through 1971 refugee camp certificates, according to the Chief Minister.

“From what I have seen in the tribunals, I haven’t come across any Bengali Hindu being declared a foreigner recently,” Sarma stated. “Earlier the situation was different but now the courts have clearly stated: Anyone who came before 1971 is 100% Indian.”

The D-voter classification has been a source of uncertainty for thousands of families in Assam, potentially affecting their voting rights and citizenship status. The category was created to identify individuals whose citizenship was considered questionable during electoral roll preparations.

The Bengali Hindus marked as doubtful voters (D-voters) in Assam have reduced from two lakhs to 25,000 in court records, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Assam CM said that the Supreme Court recognises people residing in Assam before 1971, the cut-off year in the Assam Accord, as “100 per cent Indians”.

He said, “There is an issue with D-voters. In Assam, there were two lakh Bengali Hindus, but now only 25 thousand remain in court records. Nearly two lakh people have been almost wiped out in five years.” He added that the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, due in 2026, would be “interesting” amid Bengali Hindus being pulled out of the D-voters’ category.

“The next election might be much more interesting because most Bengali Hindus are winning in court. They have only been issued 1971 refugee certificates; otherwise, they were given camper certificates.”

 “I have seen the tribunal order stating that no Bengali Hindu people have been declared foreigners, because everyone was very doubtful before. The Supreme Court has confirmed that the residence before 1971 makes these people 100 per cent Indian,” he added.

Doubtful voters are an ongoing issue in Assam for years, and the cases regarding this are heard in the Foreigner Tribunals. Meanwhile, Himanta Biswa Sarma held rallies in Baksa, Tamulpur and Udalguri ahead of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls on September 22.

“Extremely strong support across various constituencies in Baksa, Tamulpur and Udalguri today. @BJP4Assam is a strong contender in the #BTCPolls this time, and the on-ground feedback I am receiving is very encouraging. Come 22nd, the people will decisively vote for the BJP,” the Assam CM wrote on X.

According to the State Election Commission, the polling will take place in the 40 General Council Constituencies of the Bodoland Territorial Council.

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