Historical Background:
- The issue of illegal immigration in Assam dates back to pre-independence, with the 1931 Census Superintendent CS Mullan warning of an influx of migrants from East Bengal (now Bangladesh).
- Post-independence, Deputy Commissioner RB Vaghaiwalla noted continuous migration of East Pakistanis to Assam in the late 1940s.
Gopinath Bordoloi’s Stand:
- In 1950, Assam’s first Chief Minister, Gopinath Bordoloi, emphasized the need for migrants from East Pakistan to assimilate as Indians and respect Assam’s local culture and laws.
- He warned that those with pro-Pakistan sentiments should return to Pakistan.
SL Sakdher’s Warning (1978):
The Chief Election Commissioner, SL Sakdher, raised concerns that Assam could have a substantial foreign national population if unchecked, with illegal immigrants potentially affecting electoral rolls.
Assam Agitation (1979-1985):
- Triggered by the discovery of 45,000 illegal immigrants on the electoral rolls in Mangaldai during a bye-election in 1979.
- This six-year movement, driven by local resistance to immigration, resulted in 860 deaths and culminated in the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985.
Assam Accord:
- Set March 25, 1971, as the cutoff date for identifying illegal immigrants, distinct from the 1950 cutoff in other parts of India.
- Migrants entering between 1966 and 1971 would face a voting ban for 10 years but could stay in Assam.
- The accord included Clause 6, which promised protections for Assamese identity, though implementation was delayed.
Demographic Impact:
- In 2004, the government estimated 1.2 crore illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India, with 50 lakh in Assam.
- From 1971 to 2011, the share of migrants rose from 24.6% to 34.22% in Assam’s population.
- Migrant-majority districts increased from two in 1971 to eleven by 2011.
Implications of Illegal Immigration:
- Increased strain on Assam’s resources and threat to indigenous rights.
- Growing demographic shifts and potential economic, cultural, and political impacts.
Legal Measures:
- Assam requires a Foreigners Tribunal declaration to identify illegal immigrants, unlike the rest of India, where this is an executive function.
- Citizenship laws specify March 25, 1971, as Assam’s cutoff, which the Supreme Court upheld in 2024.
- The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 grants citizenship to non-Muslim persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan entering India before December 31, 2014.
Assam’s distinct cutoff date for citizenship reflects its unique demographic challenges. Immediate actions and efficient implementation of recommendations are necessary to safeguard Assamese culture and address illegal immigration comprehensively.
