Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a massive eviction drive to remove illegal encroachments since assuming power in 2021. So far, about 1.5 lakh bighas of land has been freed and about 50,000 people have been evicted under this campaign. The government says that this move is necessary to protect the resources of the state and prevent demographic change arising from illegal migration. Sarma claims that “infiltration from Bangladesh has threatened the land and identity of Assam, so the removal of illegal settlements is imperative for the future of the state.” However, the opposition and human rights organizations have described this campaign as a humanitarian crisis and an attempt at political polarization.
Controversy and Humanitarian Impact
The eviction drive has intensified social and political debate in Assam. The government claims that it is only against “suspected foreigners” or “illegal intruders”, while critics say that its main target is the Bengali-speaking Muslim community. The opposition alleges that through this campaign, the BJP is trying to gain electoral advantage and the land of the affected people is being handed over to industrialists. It is noteworthy that recently thousands of families were evicted in Renga Reserve Forest in Golaghat district and Bandramatha Reserve Forest in Goalpara. Although the government has promised that 10 lakh rupees will be given to those with pucca houses, 5 lakh rupees to Assam-type houses and 1 lakh rupees to kutcha houses, questions are being raised about its implementation.
Political implications and opposition’s response
This eviction drive has created a deep political stir ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Chief Minister Sarma believes that “illegal migration has provided vote bank to the Congress, while it is the biggest threat to the identity of Assam.” He claimed that in the areas where people of “Bangladesh origin” live, about 99% of the votes go to the Congress. On the other hand, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi and human rights activists say that this policy has been made to polarize Hindu votes and weaken the political power of the minority community. Sarma has even alleged that elements associated with Congress, Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind and Pakistan-Bangladesh are conspiring to weaken Assam.
Battle for identity and existence
Assam has been grappling with the problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh and disturbing population balance for decades. Chief Minister Sarma says that this is not just a question of land but an issue of protecting the language, culture and identity of Assam. He warned that “if illegal infiltrators are legalized, the identity of Assam will be erased.” At the same time, the Congress and the opposition say that the government is ignoring human values and the Constitution. Meanwhile, former Planning Commission member Syeda Hamid’s statement—”Bangladeshis are also humans and the earth is so big that they also have the right to live”—further escalated the controversy. Terming it a conspiracy linked to the Gandhi family, Sarma said that this idea is a step towards separating Assam from India. Thus, the eviction drive in Assam has become not just an issue of land but a battle for politics, identity and existence.
