In recent months, Assam has found itself at the centre of a national political storm. The question troubling human rights groups, journalists, and the general public alike is chilling: Is the Assam government making Muslims homeless? Under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, eviction drives in various parts of the state have left thousands of people, mainly Muslims of Bengali origin, displaced. What lies beneath this controversial move, and how is it shaping the political and communal landscape of Assam? Let’s take a deeper look.
A Pattern of Evictions: What’s Really Happening?
Reports from districts such as Nagaon, Hojai, Darrang, and Barpeta reveal a consistent trend — large-scale eviction operations, often conducted without prior notice, disproportionately affecting poor Muslim communities. The official narrative states that these evictions are part of a “drive to reclaim government land from illegal encroachers.” However, critics argue this is a targeted campaign that is making thousands of Muslims homeless under the pretext of law and order.
The Assam government, led by BJP’s Himanta Biswa Sarma, has defended the move, claiming that the land is being cleared for agricultural and infrastructural development. Still, the question remains: why are the evictions primarily hitting Muslim families?
Himanta Biswa Sarma: Administrator or Agitator?
Himanta Biswa Sarma has long been a polarising figure in Indian politics. Once a Congress leader, now a prominent face of the BJP in the Northeast, Sarma is known for his unapologetically hardline stance on issues involving illegal immigration and identity politics. His supporters argue he’s restoring “order” in a state long troubled by demographic tensions. Yet, his detractors accuse him of stoking communal fire for political mileage.
When asked whether the eviction drives are anti-Muslim in nature, Sarma boldly replied that those who “illegally occupy government land must go — religion doesn’t matter.” But human rights organisations and local witnesses tell a different story — one that paints a picture of bulldozers tearing down decades-old homes, schools, and even mosques, without due process or rehabilitation.
The Politics of Identity and Displacement in Assam
Assam has always had a complex relationship with identity, land, and migration. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) process, which left nearly two million people stateless in 2019, most of them Muslims, remains fresh in memory. Now, with fresh waves of evictions, critics are calling it a “second wave of NRC” in disguise — this time, carried out with bulldozers rather than bureaucracy.
The fear among many Muslims in Assam is real. The idea that the government is making Muslims homeless is not merely political rhetoric; it's becoming a lived experience for thousands. Activists claim these evictions violate constitutional rights, especially when no resettlement plans are provided. Many families have nowhere to go, living under plastic sheets and battling the monsoon rains.
National and International Reactions
The Assam eviction drives have drawn criticism from national opposition leaders, civil society organisations, and international human rights groups. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which has a strong presence among Assam’s Muslim population, has accused the state of turning Muslims into “second-class citizens in their own land.”
On the global stage, international media outlets have begun to cover the issue, with headlines questioning whether India’s largest minority is being deliberately marginalised in Assam. Yet, within the state, there remains a divide — while some view these actions as necessary governance, others see them as part of a deeper communal agenda.
The Human Cost Behind the Headlines
Beyond the politics and press briefings lies a human tragedy. Children are pulled out of schools, elderly residents are left without shelter, and families watch their life savings crumble under the wheels of bulldozers. For many, these are not just evictions — they are erasures of identity and belonging.
“I was born here. My father farmed this land. Now they tell me I am an encroacher?” says Abdul Rahman, a former resident of Dhalpur in Darrang district, where one of the most violent eviction drives took place in 2021, leading to deaths during police action.
Conclusion: Governance or Discrimination?
So, is the Assam government truly making Muslims homeless? While the state insists on legal justifications, the selective nature of the evictions, the absence of resettlement, and the history of anti-Muslim sentiment in the region paint a more disturbing picture.
The issue is far from black and white. But one thing is clear: the lives and futures of thousands are hanging in the balance. It is the responsibility of a democratic state to ensure justice, fairness, and equality — not just in words but in action. As more bulldozers roll into Muslim-dominated areas of Assam, the question will continue to echo: Is this governance, or is it a veiled form of discrimination?
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