Assam may become part of Bangladesh - Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expresses concern

As the number of people of Bangladeshi origin in the northeastern state of Assam continues to increase, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed concern about the future of the state. He claimed that if this demographic trend continues, a situation may arise in which Assam may 'automatically' become a part of Bangladesh. The Chief Minister's comments have sparked a fresh border and immigration debate.

According to the NDTV report, while talking to reporters after a government function on Tuesday (December 23), Himanta Biswa Sarma said that if the number of people of Bangladeshi origin in Assam increases by another 10 percent, the situation may reach a point that he likens to automatic integration with Bangladesh.

He said that he has been warning about this demographic change for the last five years.

When asked about the comment made by a Bangladeshi leader about merging northeastern India with Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said that currently about 40 percent of the population of Assam is of Bangladeshi origin. If this number increases further, there could be a major change in the social and political reality of the state.

He said, “This is why I have been speaking out strongly on this issue for the last five years.”

The report also mentioned that earlier this month, a comment by Bangladesh’s National Citizens Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah sparked a discussion in various Indian media outlets. In the comment, it was said that if New Delhi tries to destabilize Bangladesh, Dhaka should isolate India’s northeast and support separatist forces active there.

Hasnat Abdullah also claimed that India’s northeast is in a geographically vulnerable position, as the region depends on the narrow Siliguri corridor, known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, for communication with the Indian mainland.

Reacting strongly to these remarks, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that India will not accept any threat to isolate the northeastern states from the Indian mainland. According to him, Delhi will not remain silent if such statements continue.

He also said that the idea that the Northeast is being repeatedly separated from Bangladesh and merged with it is completely wrong and unrealistic. India is a big country, a nuclear power and the fourth largest economy in the world - this reality should not be forgotten.

With these comments by the Chief Minister, the issues of migration, population change and regional security in the entire Northeast, including Assam, have once again come to the center of discussion.