The number of Bengali Hindus designated as D-voters, or doubtful voters, in Assam has dramatically decreased from 200,000 to just 25,000 over the last five years, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who made the announcement on Wednesday. This significant reduction comes amid ongoing challenges related to citizenship verification, a pressing issue that has long impacted the community.
Sarma expressed optimism that the citizenship verification problems could be “nearly resolved by next year” if current trends continue. The Chief Minister noted that many Bengali Hindus have successfully contested their D-voter status in court by proving their refugee status through certificates from 1971 refugee camps.
“From what I have seen in the tribunals, I haven’t come across any Bengali Hindu being declared a foreigner recently,” Sarma stated. He added that while the situation was once different, the courts have clearly affirmed that anyone who arrived in India before 1971 is considered “100% Indian.”
The category of D-voter has generated significant uncertainty for thousands of families in Assam, with the potential to affect their voting rights and citizenship status. This classification was established to identify individuals whose citizenship was viewed as questionable during the electoral roll preparation process.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/anyone-who-came-before-1971-is-100-per-cent-indian-assam-cm-says-d-voter-cases-nearly-resolved-1279621-2025-09-18?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-09-18 22:23:00
