Assam Civil Society Group Deplores Crackdown On Muslims

India’s recent actions to repatriate what it terms “illegal immigrants” from Assam have sparked significant opposition from Bangladesh. Bangladeshi leaders have condemned these actions as an infringement on their nation’s sovereignty and a potential threat to national security. Reports indicate that on May 25, India pushed back 67 Bangladeshi nationals, while 13 others found themselves stranded at the Zero Line between the two countries by May 28.

In response to these developments, the Axom Nagarik Samaj (Assam Civil Society) issued a statement on May 30, urging the state government to cease the harassment of certain religious minorities. The appeal, co-signed by president Ajit Kumar Bhuyan and secretary Paresh Malakar, criticized the targeting and vilification of the Muslim community, particularly during election cycles, as a strategy to consolidate majority votes in favor of the ruling party.

The civil society organization highlighted the Assam government’s recent actions to push back alleged Bangladeshi nationals and the cabinet’s decision, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma’s BJP government, to arm indigenous populations against perceived threats from minority communities. They pointed out that despite the BJP’s decade-long rule in Assam, the state has enjoyed peace for over 35 years. There is no evidence suggesting that the minority community poses any threat to others.

The statement raises a critical question: why are fears being amplified and threats exaggerated ahead of the 2026 assembly elections?

The Axom Nagarik Samaj’s statement reads: “Are we witnessing a textbook case of fascist tendencies being practiced in Assam? How long will a section of religious minorities be subjected to all kinds of atrocities and humiliation by branding them as ‘Bangladeshi foreigners’?” The organization expressed concern over the continuous harassment and humiliation faced by these communities, questioning the logic behind turning victims into scapegoats for societal issues.

The history of Assam’s political landscape reveals a long-standing struggle against the so-called “Bangladeshi foreigners.” The six-year-long Assam Movement aimed to expel these alleged foreigners, leading to the formation of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) from the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). The AGP ruled Assam for a decade, followed by a Congress government that lasted 15 years, during which the current chief minister was involved in implementing the Assam Accord. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a controversial declaration that all Bangladeshi foreigners must leave Assam by May 16, 2014.

Despite the BJP’s decade-long governance, Assam has not witnessed any significant upheavals or incidents related to this issue in the past 35 years. Instead, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced to provide citizenship to certain linguistic minorities. However, during election periods, the ruling party has consistently blamed religious minorities for various societal problems, using them as a tool to garner votes from the majority community.

The tactic of portraying a specific religion as a threat and criminalizing religious minorities has become a hallmark of the Hindutva movement. The recent decision to arm indigenous people against religious minorities raises alarming questions. The civil society organization asks, “Have we seen any civil war-like situation anywhere in Assam? Then why do you do this? Why promote this communal hatred and create tension among the common people?”

Despite the ongoing tensions, it is noteworthy that the people of Assam have largely maintained peace, with only minor incidents reported. The Axom Nagarik Samaj appeals to all right-thinking individuals, including opposition political parties and civil society organizations, to condemn and oppose the ruling party’s divisive strategies.

In light of the crackdown on minorities in Assam, lawyer Aman Wadud from Guwahati highlighted the arbitrary detentions of Indian citizens based solely on suspicions of being “illegal migrants.” Many individuals have been detained for hours, only to be released after enduring harassment and violations of their dignity. Some of those detained had spent years in detention after being denationalized, with some cases lasting up to a decade. They were released following two Supreme Court orders that mandated the release of individuals who had been in detention for three years, later reduced to two years.

However, Assam Police appears to be defying these court directives. Reports indicate that several individuals have been taken from their homes by police or summoned to police stations, only to subsequently “disappear.” Residents from districts such as Dhubri, Chirang, Barpeta, Darrang, Morigaon, and Kokrajhar have reported that family members declared “foreigners” by state tribunals have gone missing after being arrested or detained.

Wadud pointed out that Bangladesh has often denied claims that these individuals are Bangladeshi nationals. He recalled a statement made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Parliament, asserting that deportations should be based on “unambiguous verification” of nationality. Wadud challenged the minister, asking whether such verification processes have been adhered to in Assam.

The situation in Assam raises critical questions about human rights, national identity, and the treatment of minorities. As tensions escalate, the need for dialogue and understanding becomes increasingly urgent to prevent further division and unrest in the region.