The issue of illegal immigration in Assam has remained a sensitive and highly politicized matter for decades, and recent government data has shed new light on its religious dynamics. According to official records, 47,928 individuals were identified as illegal immigrants in the state between 1971 and 2014. Of these, 43% are reported to be Hindus, while the majority—57%—are Muslims. These figures were brought to public attention during a recent assembly session where Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also handles the Home Department, responded to a question posed by AGP MLA Ponakan Baruah.
The detection and categorization of these individuals as foreigners was carried out by Assam’s Foreigners’ Tribunals over this extended period. Out of the total 47,928 illegal immigrants, 20,613 were Hindus, and 27,309 were Muslims. Interestingly, a significant proportion of the Hindu illegal immigrants came from the Cachar district (8,139), while many others were found in Guwahati city (2,884), Lakhimpur district (1,574), and Dibrugarh district (1,038). On the other hand, Jorhat, Guwahati city, and Dibrugarh were major hubs where Muslims were detected, with figures standing at 4,182, 3,897, and 2,829 respectively.
The Assam Accord of 1985 remains central to the state's policy on illegal immigration. According to this accord, the cut-off date for identifying and deporting illegal migrants is midnight on March 24, 1971. Anyone entering Assam after this date without valid documentation is considered an illegal immigrant, and the detection process largely revolves around this guideline.
The demographic shift in Assam has fueled intense debates on cultural identity and indigenous rights. As per the 2011 census, Assamese-speaking people accounted for 48.38% of the state’s population of 3.12 crore, while Bengali-speaking people made up 28.92%. The rise in the number of non-Assamese speakers, particularly Bengalis, has been a point of concern among Assamese nationalists who view it as a potential threat to the cultural and linguistic identity of the indigenous communities. In his response to these concerns, Chief Minister Sarma acknowledged that the situation is under constant observation.
The state government’s data has once again brought the spotlight on Assam’s complex socio-political landscape, where issues of identity, migration, and religious affiliation intersect in often contentious ways. The substantial presence of Hindu illegal immigrants contrasts with the common narrative that predominantly focuses on Muslims, indicating a more nuanced scenario. The topic is likely to remain a key element in Assam's ongoing discussions about identity, citizenship, and regional autonomy.
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