Assam's Bengali-Origin Muslims Face Eviction and Political Alienation Ahead of Elections
Fear and alienation in Assam: As BJP sharpens ‘infiltrator’ pitch, eviction-hit voters hope for govt change
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
In Assam's Goalpara district, over 600 families, primarily Bengali-origin Muslims, are living in dire conditions after mass evictions by the BJP-led government. As the April 9 Assembly elections approach, these residents feel abandoned by political leaders, with many expressing a desire for change and support for the Congress party amidst fears of further eviction.
- 01Over 600 families in Assam's Goalpara district have been displaced due to mass evictions.
- 02BJP leaders have labeled evicted individuals as 'infiltrators,' using the issue as a campaign strategy.
- 03Residents express feelings of political alienation, with little support from opposition parties.
- 04Concerns about voter registration and potential evictions loom large among the affected communities.
- 05The AIUDF, led by Badruddin Ajmal, is attempting to galvanize support among Bengali-origin Muslims amid rising tensions.
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In Goalpara district, Assam, over 600 families are struggling in makeshift shelters after their homes were demolished during a mass eviction drive by the BJP-led government last June. This eviction, part of a broader campaign against Bengali-origin Muslims, has been highlighted by BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as a significant achievement. The government aims to continue such evictions, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pledging to eliminate land occupied by 'illegal immigrants.' Residents of the eviction camps report poor living conditions, with limited facilities, and feel politically abandoned as they prepare for the upcoming Assembly elections on April 9. Many express a desire for change, leaning towards the Congress party, despite concerns about its past actions against their community. Meanwhile, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), led by Badruddin Ajmal, is attempting to mobilize support among Bengali-origin Muslims, capitalizing on the BJP's rhetoric. The situation reflects deep-seated fears of further evictions and political marginalization in Assam's evolving electoral landscape.
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The ongoing evictions and political rhetoric surrounding them significantly affect the daily lives of Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty about their future.
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