A fresh political storm has erupted in Assam following controversial remarks by Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, former member of the Planning Commission, who defended the presence of Bangladeshi migrants in India during a recent visit to the state. Speaking to the media after touring eviction sites in Goalpara and adjoining districts, Hameed said, “Bangladeshi aaye to kya hua? They are also human beings. The Earth is big enough for everyone.”
Her comments, made in the presence of a delegation of civil society leaders including Harsh Mander, Prashant Bhushan, Wajahat Habibullah, and Jawahar Sircar, have drawn sharp criticism from the Assam government and triggered a wider debate on illegal immigration, citizenship rights, and humanitarian obligations.
🧭 Timeline of Events Leading to the Controversy
| Date | Event Description | Political Impact |
|---|---|---|
| August 23, 2025 | Syeda Hameed visits Assam with civil society delegation | Sparks media and political backlash |
| August 24, 2025 | Hameed defends Bangladeshi migrants in press statement | BJP accuses Congress of legitimizing infiltration |
| August 25, 2025 | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma responds on social media | Labels visit as “fact manipulation” |
Hameed’s remarks came amid ongoing eviction drives targeting alleged illegal encroachments by migrants in Assam’s Goalpara and Barpeta districts.
📊 Assam’s Migrant Landscape: Legal vs Illegal
| Category | Estimated Population | Legal Status Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1971 Migrants | ~1.5 million | Covered under Assam Accord, eligible for citizenship |
| Post-1971 Migrants | ~2.0 million (disputed) | Considered illegal under Section 6A of Citizenship Act |
| NRC Exclusions (2019) | 19 lakh | Awaiting legal resolution |
| CAA Beneficiaries (proposed) | ~5 lakh | Non-Muslim migrants till Dec 31, 2014 |
The Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment upheld the 1971 cut-off date for citizenship eligibility in Assam, reinforcing the Assam Accord’s provisions and intensifying calls for detection and deportation of post-1971 migrants.
🔍 What Syeda Hameed Said: Humanitarian vs Legal Debate
During her visit, Hameed stated: “Bangladeshis are also human beings. They are not depriving anyone of their rights. The claim that they are doing so is mischievous and detrimental to humanity. Allah made this Earth for humans, not for Satan. Why should a human being be thrown out so mercilessly?”
Her comments were interpreted by critics as an endorsement of illegal immigration, prompting Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to accuse the delegation of “painting lawful evictions as humanitarian crisis”.
| Statement by Syeda Hameed | Reaction from Assam Government |
|---|---|
| “Bangladeshi aaye to kya hua” | “Attempt to weaken fight against encroachers” |
| “They are also human beings” | “Manipulation of facts by Delhi-based activists” |
| “Evictions are inhuman” | “Evictions are lawful and necessary” |
The BJP has linked Hameed’s stance to Congress-era policies, accusing the opposition of “rewarding those who justify demographic seizure.”
🧠 Civil Society Delegation and Political Fallout
The delegation included prominent activists and former bureaucrats such as Harsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Fayaz Shaheen, Prashant Bhushan, and Jawahar Sircar. Their visit to eviction sites was aimed at assessing the humanitarian impact of the state’s anti-encroachment operations.
| Delegate Name | Role/Background | Position on Migrants Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Harsh Mander | Human rights activist | Opposes forced evictions |
| Prashant Bhushan | Senior advocate, activist | Supports legal safeguards for migrants |
| Wajahat Habibullah | Former CIC | Advocates inclusive policy framework |
| Jawahar Sircar | Rajya Sabha MP, ex-CEO Prasar Bharati | Calls for humane treatment |
The delegation’s findings are expected to be submitted to the Centre and opposition parties ahead of the winter session of Parliament.
📉 Assam’s Eviction Drives: Scope and Controversy
Since 2021, the Assam government has conducted multiple eviction drives targeting alleged illegal settlements in forest lands, wetlands, and government-owned plots. Critics argue that these operations disproportionately affect Muslim communities, many of whom are branded as “Bangladeshis” without due process.
| District | Eviction Sites (2021–2025) | Displaced Families | Legal Challenges Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalpara | 5 | 3,200+ | 7 |
| Barpeta | 4 | 2,800+ | 5 |
| Darrang | 3 | 1,900+ | 3 |
| Nagaon | 2 | 1,200+ | 2 |
The Assam government maintains that the evictions are lawful and backed by land records and court orders.
🧠 Legal Framework: Citizenship, NRC, and CAA
The debate over illegal migrants in Assam is rooted in the Assam Accord (1985), which mandates detection and deportation of migrants who entered after March 24, 1971. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) update in 2019 excluded 19 lakh people, many of whom are still awaiting legal resolution.
| Legal Instrument | Purpose | Status in Assam |
|---|---|---|
| Assam Accord (1985) | Define cut-off date for citizenship | Upheld by Supreme Court in 2024 |
| Section 6A of Citizenship Act | Legal basis for exclusion post-1971 | Validated by SC |
| NRC (2019) | Identify legal residents | Under review, re-verification demanded |
| CAA (2019) | Grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants | Not implemented in Assam due to conflict with Accord |
Activists argue that the CAA contradicts the Assam Accord and could legitimize post-1971 migrants, while the government insists it applies only to persecuted minorities.
📌 Conclusion
Syeda Hameed’s remarks—“Bangladeshi aaye to kya hua”—have reignited the complex and emotionally charged debate over illegal migration in Assam. While civil society voices call for compassion and legal safeguards, the state government insists on strict enforcement of citizenship laws and land rights.
As the political fallout continues, the issue remains a flashpoint in Assam’s socio-political landscape, with implications for national policy, electoral dynamics, and human rights discourse.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and official statements as of August 25, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, political, or immigration advice.
