Outrage in Assam after Syeda Hameed bats for Bangladeshis’ stay

GUWAHATI

Social activist and former Planning Commission member Syeda Saiyidain Hameed’s assertion that Bangladeshi nationals could stay in Assam has sparked outrage.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an event that focused on the politics of polarisation and alleged victimisation of Bengali-speaking Muslims, she indicated India had enough space to accommodate people from other countries.

Bengali-speaking Muslims, pejoratively called Miyas to distinguish them from Assamese Muslims, are often branded as Bangladeshis in Assam.

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“What’s wrong if they are Bangladeshis? Bangladeshis are also humans. The world is so large. Bangladeshis can also be here,” Ms. Hameed said.

“To say that [they are] depriving the rights of others is troublesome, extremely mischievous, and detrimental to humanity. Allah has created this earth for humans,” she said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed her for trying to legitimise people who enter India and stay on illegally.

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“People like Syeda Hameed, a close confidant of the Gandhi family, legitimise illegal infiltrators, as they seek to realise Jinnah’s dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan. Today, Assamese identity is on the brink of extinction because of the tacit support of people like her,” Mr. Sarma posted on social media platform X.

“But we are the sons and daughters of Lachit Barphukan, WE WILL FIGHT till the last drop of our blood to save our State and our identity. Let me make it very clear, Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam; it is not their land. Anyone sympathising with them may accommodate them in their own backyards. Assam is not up for grabs by illegal infiltrators, NOT NOW, NOT EVER,” the Chief Minister posted.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the issue was not about religion, but rather land. He underscored the vulnerability of the other landlocked northeastern States if Assam’s demography was altered.

“Rahul Gandhi and his gang want them in the voters’ list and become Indian citizens!” Mr. Rijiju said, advising Ms. Hameed not to support illegal migrants.

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) asked Ms. Hameed to refrain from making such “anti-Assam and anti-India” remarks.

“No sensible person can state that it is not a crime for Bangladeshis to live in Assam,” AASU president Utpal Sarma said, adding that Ms. Hameed had insulted the 860 martyrs of the Assam Agitation (1979-85), which primarily sought the ejection of foreigners staying illegally in the State.

Indigenous communities had been reduced to a minority in several districts of Assam due to the influx from Bangladesh, Mr. Utpal Sarma said. The Muslim population in these districts exceeds 50%.

“The Gauhati High Court said Bangladeshis get themselves enrolled in the voters’ list, and they have become the kingmaker. The threat to our language, economy, and political rights should not be our concern alone,” the AASU president said.