Demography Is Destiny - Why Assam’s Crackdown on Illegal Encroachment Is a Historic Step

 

In recent months, Assam has witnessed one of the boldest and most decisive actions in its modern political history — large-scale eviction drives against illegal encroachers, freeing land equivalent in size to the entire city of Chandigarh. This is far more than an administrative measure; it is the fulfillment of a long-pending commitment to reclaim Assam’s land, identity, and future. For decades, successive governments turned a blind eye, paralyzed by the lure of vote-bank politics and the fear of alienating key constituencies. In doing so, they left the indigenous people of Assam — along with their culture and language — to defend themselves against relentless demographic change.

 Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government has broken this cycle of appeasement. By reclaiming thousands of hectares from illegal encroachment, the state has sent a clear message: Assam’s land belongs to its rightful citizens, not to those who have entered and settled illegally. These eviction drives are not acts of hostility against any religion or community, despite politically motivated claims to the contrary. They are acts of defence — defence against demographic aggression that threatens the very foundations of Assam’s existence.

 The scale of recent operations has been unprecedented. Official data confirms that over 1,20,000 bighas have been freed across several districts — an area almost equivalent to Chandigarh. This recovered land includes agricultural zones, forest reserves, and government property intended for schools, healthcare facilities, and community development. Had these illegal settlements been allowed to persist, they would have permanently damaged the region’s ecological balance and deprived local communities of essential resources.

 Yet, land is only the visible part of a deeper crisis: demography. For years, unchecked illegal immigration from Bangladesh — largely by the Miya Muslim community — has transformed the population profile of entire districts. Census data paints a stark picture: in districts like Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, and South Salmara, Muslim populations now exceed 75–80%, whereas a few decades ago, these areas had Hindu majorities or balanced demographics. This shift has profoundly influenced voting patterns, land ownership, and cultural practices.

 Fertility rates further illustrate the scale of this demographic momentum. While the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) among Assamese Hindus is around 1.6–1.7 — below the replacement level — the TFR among Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam remains above 3.0. This means that while the indigenous population is stabilising or even declining in some areas, the population of immigrant descent is growing rapidly. Demography, as every expert knows, shapes destiny. If left unchecked, these trends could irreversibly alter Assam’s cultural, linguistic, and political identity within a generation.

 The linguistic impact is already evident. In 1971, Assamese speakers made up roughly 60% of the state’s population. By 2011, that figure had fallen to around 48%. In many districts bordering Bangladesh, Assamese is no longer the majority language. The influx of Bengali-speaking immigrants, combined with higher population growth among them, is steadily eroding the Assamese language base. For a civilisation rooted in its literature, music, and traditions, such a loss is nothing short of an existential threat.

 Against this backdrop, certain groups have made the audacious demand for a so-called “Miya Museum” — a project to showcase the culture of the very community central to Assam’s demographic crisis. Assam is the sacred land of Srimanta Sankardeva, the saint-reformer who united its people through the Bhakti movement and laid the foundations of its unique cultural identity. For such demands to emerge in a state still fighting to preserve its heritage is telling. It reflects the political confidence gained from decades of demographic change, enabling proposals that would have been unthinkable a generation ago.

 These are the hard realities the eviction drives are confronting head-on. By reclaiming encroached land, the government is not merely resolving property disputes — it is holding the front line in a larger demographic battle. Every hectare freed is a hectare where Assamese farmers can cultivate their soil, Assamese children can study in their own schools, and Assamese culture can thrive without being overwhelmed by alien settlement patterns.

 Critics, especially those outside Assam, are quick to label these actions as communal. This is a shallow and misleading interpretation. The Supreme Court itself has described illegal immigration in Assam as “external aggression.” Protecting Assam from such aggression is not only a state responsibility — it is a constitutional mandate.

 Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership is both courageous and historic. He has resisted the pressure of politically correct narratives promoted by sections of the national media and activist circles, acting instead with the clarity and urgency the situation demands. This is the political will that Assam has long lacked, as earlier governments sacrificed long-term cultural survival for short-term electoral gain.

 The symbolism of freeing land on this scale is powerful. It tells every illegal encroacher that Assam is no longer a soft state. It reassures every indigenous Assamese that their government is defending their heritage, reclaiming what is rightfully theirs, and securing their children’s future. It also sends a message to the rest of India that the “Assam Model” is one of firmness, legality, and unapologetic protection of identity.

 Some warn that Assam could face a fate similar to Kashmir, where demographic shifts irrevocably altered the region’s social and political landscape. The lesson from Kashmir is clear: once a tipping point is crossed, reversal becomes impossible. That is why immediate action is not merely wise — it is essential. Assam cannot afford to become another Kashmir.

 Ultimately, these eviction drives are more than administrative interventions. They are a declaration that Assam will shape its own destiny, safeguard its language and culture, and refuse to repeat the mistakes of the past. Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has demonstrated that with vision, determination, and courage, entrenched challenges can indeed be overcome.

 The recovery of land on a scale comparable to a major Indian city is not the conclusion of this struggle, but the beginning of a decisive chapter. If this momentum continues, history will remember this as the moment when Assam turned the tide, reclaimed its soul, and secured its rightful place in the future of India — on its own terms.