Amit Shah Vows to Eject Infiltrators from Assam Ahead of Polls
Amit Shah asserts BJP's commitment to removing illegal immigrants from Assam.
Photo by David Tyemnyák
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, ahead of Assam's Assembly elections, accused the Congress party of changing the state's demography for vote-bank politics. He asserted that only the BJP could eject illegal immigrants from Assam. Addressing a gathering in Dibrugarh, Assam, Shah stated that infiltration posed a serious threat to the state's culture, land, and identity.
He indicated that the BJP wants Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to continue for a second term to achieve the goal of ejecting infiltrators. Shah claimed that the BJP government has freed 1.26 lakh acres of land from Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Key Facts
Amit Shah: BJP will eject infiltrators from Assam
Infiltration: Threat to Assam's culture, land, identity
BJP government: Freed 1.26 lakh acres from infiltrators
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Issues relating to citizenship, constitutional provisions, and legislative frameworks.
GS Paper I: Social Issues - Demographic changes, migration patterns, and their impact on society.
Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs on CAA, NRC, Assam Accord; Analytical questions on the impact of immigration on Assam's socio-political landscape.
Visual Insights
Assam: Key Areas Affected by Illegal Immigration
This map highlights districts in Assam that are most affected by illegal immigration, based on available data and reports. It also shows the location of Dibrugarh, where Amit Shah addressed the gathering.
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More Information
Background
The issue of 'infiltrators' in Assam has deep historical roots, stemming from the colonial era when the British encouraged migration from other parts of India to Assam for tea plantation labor. This migration continued post-independence, particularly from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), driven by economic opportunities and political instability. The Assam Movement (1979-1985) was a major turning point, fueled by concerns over demographic changes and the perceived threat to Assamese identity.
The Assam Accord of 1985, signed between the central government and the leaders of the Assam Movement, aimed to identify and deport illegal immigrants who entered the state after March 24, 1971. This accord forms the basis of much of the current debate and policy regarding immigration in Assam. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process, mandated by the Supreme Court, is a direct consequence of this historical context and the Assam Accord.
Latest Developments
In recent years, the focus has shifted towards implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, which offers a path to Indian citizenship for religious minorities (excluding Muslims) who have fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. This has sparked widespread protests in Assam and other parts of India, with concerns raised about the potential impact on Assam's demographics and the secular fabric of the nation. The implementation of the CAA alongside the NRC has created a complex and contentious situation.
Future developments are likely to involve legal challenges to the CAA, further updates to the NRC, and ongoing debates about the rights and status of immigrants in Assam. The state government is also likely to focus on border security measures to prevent future illegal immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main issue Amit Shah is discussing regarding Assam, and why is it important for the UPSC exam?
Amit Shah is focusing on the issue of illegal immigration into Assam, claiming it threatens the state's culture, land, and identity. Understanding this issue is important for UPSC as it relates to polity & governance, demographic changes, and potential social unrest. For prelims, knowing key facts like the 1.26 lakh acres freed from infiltrators is helpful. For mains, you can discuss the socio-economic and political impact of illegal immigration.
2. What is the historical background of the 'infiltrator' issue in Assam?
The issue stems from the colonial era when the British encouraged migration for tea plantation labor, continuing post-independence from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) due to economic opportunities and instability. The Assam Movement (1979-1985) highlighted these concerns.
3. How does the current discussion around 'infiltrators' in Assam connect to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019?
The CAA offers a path to Indian citizenship for religious minorities (excluding Muslims) who fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. This is related to the infiltrator issue because it attempts to address the status of some illegal immigrants while excluding others, leading to protests and debates about its fairness and constitutionality.
4. What are the potential pros and cons of ejecting 'infiltrators' from Assam, as discussed by Amit Shah?
Potential pros include preserving Assam's cultural identity, protecting land rights of indigenous communities, and reducing strain on resources. Cons could involve humanitarian concerns, potential displacement of long-term residents, and social unrest if the process is not handled fairly and transparently. These are important points to consider for the UPSC interview.
5. What key facts related to Amit Shah's statement are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?
Key facts include: Amit Shah's vow to eject infiltrators, the claim that infiltration threatens Assam's culture, land, and identity, and the BJP government's claim of freeing 1.26 lakh acres from infiltrators. Remember these figures and the context for potential MCQs.
6. Why is the issue of 'vote bank politics' mentioned in the context of Assam and illegal immigration?
The Congress party is accused of changing Assam's demography for vote-bank politics, implying they allegedly supported or tolerated illegal immigration to gain electoral advantage. This highlights how demographic changes can be politicized and used for electoral gains, a relevant topic for UPSC understanding of political strategies.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Assam Accord of 1985: I. It aimed to identify and deport illegal immigrants who entered Assam after January 1, 1966. II. It granted citizenship to those who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 24, 1971, after a period of ten years. III. It was signed between the Central Government and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.I and II only
- B.II only
- C.I and III only
- D.None
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement I is INCORRECT: The Assam Accord aimed to identify and deport illegal immigrants who entered Assam after March 24, 1971, not January 1, 1966. Statement II is CORRECT: The Assam Accord granted citizenship to those who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 24, 1971, after a period of ten years of disenfranchisement. Statement III is INCORRECT: The Assam Accord was signed between the Central Government and the leaders of the Assam Movement, not ULFA.
2. With reference to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.It offers a path to Indian citizenship for religious minorities who have fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
- B.It applies to those who entered India before December 31, 2014.
- C.It includes Muslims among the religious minorities eligible for citizenship.
- D.It has faced legal challenges and protests due to concerns about its impact on secularism.
Show Answer
Answer: C
Option C is NOT correct: The CAA 2019 specifically excludes Muslims from the religious minorities eligible for citizenship. It includes Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who have fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
3. Which of the following fundamental rights, enshrined in the Indian Constitution, is most directly implicated in the debates surrounding the NRC and CAA?
- A.Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25-28)
- B.Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
- C.Right to Equality (Article 14)
- D.Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19)
Show Answer
Answer: C
The Right to Equality (Article 14) is most directly implicated. The debates surrounding the NRC and CAA often revolve around whether these measures treat all individuals equally before the law, regardless of their religion or origin. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.