The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), enacted in 2019, continues to be a contentious issue in Assam as the state prepares for its elections on April 9, 2026. The CAA provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for illegal migrants from specific religious communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, which has sparked widespread protests since its introduction. Protesters in Assam argue that the CAA undermines the 1985 Assam Accord, which established a cut-off date for citizenship and aimed to protect the cultural identity of Assamese people. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and other groups have voiced concerns that the CAA will lead to an influx of immigrants that could dilute local culture. Despite ongoing protests, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserts that the CAA is necessary for security and to aid persecuted minorities. As the elections approach, the opposition, including Congress and newly formed regional parties, is emphasizing the potential violations of the Assam Accord, framing the CAA as a threat to the identity of indigenous communities in this border state.