In recent years, the northeastern Indian state of Assam has become a focal point of disturbing developments involving the Miya Muslims, a Bengali-speaking Muslim community with centuries-old roots in the region. Under the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a series of legal and political moves have triggered concerns over human rights, religious discrimination, and demographic engineering.
Assam, a diverse and historically complex region, has seen a marked increase in anti-Muslim sentiment, particularly directed at the Miya community. Many critics argue that new citizenship laws and the aggressive implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have disproportionately affected these communities, effectively rendering many stateless in the land they have inhabited for generations.
A Legacy of Belonging, Now Questioned: The Miya Muslims trace their ancestry to Bengali-speaking Muslims who migrated to Assam primarily during British colonial rule, often brought in for agricultural labor. Over time, they integrated into local society, contributing to the economy, culture, and social landscape of the state.
Despite this long history, they have frequently faced accusations of being “outsiders” or “illegal immigrants” from neighboring Bangladesh-a claim that persists despite many holding Indian citizenship and voting rights. Their demographic strength-nearly one-third of Assam’s population-is increasingly being portrayed by right-wing political figures as a threat to the region’s “indigenous” identity and religious character.
The demographic anxiety has been amplified by projections suggesting that by 2041, Muslims might form a majority in Assam. Political rhetoric around this possibility has often been alarmist, with opposition leaders warning of a “Muslim Chief Minister” as if such a development were a threat rather than a democratic outcome.
NRC and CAA: Legal Tools or Instruments of Oppression?: In 2019, the Indian government implemented a controversial update to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, aiming to identify “genuine” Indian citizens and weed out so-called “illegal immigrants.” The result was a humanitarian crisis: nearly 1.9 million people were excluded from the final list, many of whom were Muslims.
The situation worsened with the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which offers a path to citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian immigrants from neighboring countries-but explicitly excludes Muslims. Critics argue that this violates India’s secular constitution and is a thinly veiled attempt to marginalize and disenfranchise the Muslim population.
While the CAA has not yet been implemented nationwide, the fear it has generated is palpable in Assam. For Miya Muslims, the threat of being declared stateless looms large. Even those with documentation find themselves entangled in an opaque and biased legal system that often presumes guilt rather than innocence.
Rising Violence and Displacement: The bureaucratic assault has been accompanied by increasing physical violence and intimidation. Numerous reports from credible Indian and international media outlets have highlighted forced evictions, demolitions of Muslim homes, and even killings during eviction drives.
In September 2021, during an eviction operation in Darrang district, a Muslim man named Moinul Haque was shot dead by police. What shocked the nation further was footage of a government photographer stomping on his dead body-a chilling symbol of dehumanization. The event sparked widespread protests, but no substantial legal action was taken against those responsible.
Similar incidents have occurred in various districts including Barpeta, Dhubri, and Goalpara, where Muslim communities have been accused of encroaching on government land, only to be violently uprooted without due process. Many of these communities have been living in these areas for decades, paying taxes and participating in local governance.
The Role of the State Government: Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, a prominent BJP leader, has made several controversial statements regarding Muslims, particularly the Miya community. He has openly supported aggressive eviction policies and claimed that such actions are necessary to “protect indigenous rights.”
Sarma has also questioned the legitimacy of Muslim voters in Assam, accusing them of being infiltrators and part of a demographic conspiracy. Such rhetoric not only fuels hatred but also legitimizes violence and discrimination under the guise of nationalism and security.
Many observers believe that these policies are part of a broader Hindutva project-a political ideology that seeks to establish Hindu supremacy in India. Under the BJP’s leadership, religious minorities, especially Muslims, have increasingly found themselves targeted by laws, vigilante violence, and hate speech.
The Silence of the International Community: Despite these alarming developments, the international community has remained largely silent. Major human rights organizations and foreign governments have yet to take meaningful action or even issue strong statements. The absence of international media coverage on the plight of Assam’s Muslims stands in stark contrast to their response to similar issues elsewhere.
This silence is particularly troubling given India’s status as the world’s largest democracy. If democratic institutions can be manipulated to systematically disenfranchise and persecute a religious minority in such a large and influential country, it sets a dangerous precedent globally.
Moreover, India’s changing relationship with Bangladesh adds another layer of complexity. Once seen as a partner, Dhaka has become wary of Delhi’s policies, especially those that implicate Bangladesh in India’s internal Muslim issues. The idea that Muslims in Assam are “Bangladeshi infiltrators” strains diplomatic ties and fuels xenophobic sentiments on both sides of the border.
The Need for Urgent Action: The situation in Assam is a clarion call for action-both within India and internationally. Human rights organizations must investigate the situation and offer legal and moral support to those affected. The United Nations and other global watchdogs should demand transparency and accountability in how citizenship laws are applied in India.
Domestically, Indian civil society must continue to resist the communal polarization that threatens the fabric of its secular democracy. Political parties, journalists, and activists have a moral duty to speak out, amplify the voices of the marginalized, and hold those in power accountable.
Meanwhile, it is essential to recognize the humanity of the Miya Muslims. They are farmers, laborers, teachers, and shopkeepers. They raise families, celebrate festivals, and dream of a better future-just like any other community. Reducing them to mere statistics or “threats” denies their dignity and undermines the principles of justice and equality.
Conclusion: The atrocities unfolding in Assam are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, dangerous trend in India’s political trajectory. The targeting of Miya Muslims under the guise of legal reforms and demographic management is a gross violation of human rights and democratic norms.
The silence surrounding these events-from both domestic and international quarters-is alarming. If left unchecked, it could embolden further acts of repression and deepen divisions in Indian society.
Now is the time for moral clarity and collective action. The world must not look away.
