Implementation of Assam Accord Remains Unfulfilled After 40 Years, Say Student Leaders and Political Parties

Four decades after the Assam Accord was signed, its main goal of eliminating illegal immigration remains unachieved. Student leaders and political parties highlight ongoing challenges in Assam's political landscape.

Four decades have passed since the Assam Accord was signed to end a six-year anti-foreigner movement. Despite this, the goal of eliminating illegal immigrants from the state remains unmet, according to student leaders and political parties. The issue of illegal immigration continues to be a major point of contention in Assam's political and social arenas.

The Assam Accord, signed on August 15, 1985, aimed to address the influx of foreigners into Assam. It stipulated that individuals entering the state after March 25, 1971, would be identified and removed from electoral rolls. The All Assam Students Union (AASU), All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), and the central government were signatories to this agreement.

Illegal Immigration Concerns

Successive governments have struggled to implement the accord's provisions over the past 40 years. AASU leaders Utpal Sarma and Samiran Phukan expressed disappointment, stating that illegal immigrants have not been identified or deported. They also criticised the failure to seal infiltration routes, calling it an "unpardonable sin" by the authorities.

The unchecked influx from Bangladesh poses a threat to Assamese identity, language, and culture, according to AASU leaders. They reiterated demands for implementing the Justice (Retd.) Biplab Kumar Sharma Committee’s report on Clause 6 of the Accord. This clause promises constitutional safeguards for protecting Assamese identity.

Political Reactions

Minister Atul Bora stated on X that the state government is committed to implementing the accord. He mentioned historic steps taken towards executing all clauses of the agreement. However, opposition leader Debabrata Saikia accused the BJP government of not wanting full implementation, especially Clause 6.

The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), formed after the anti-CAA movement in 2019-20, criticised the BJP for failing to implement the accord. AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi claimed that instead of fulfilling promises made before the 2014 elections, they enacted CAA and welcomed post-1971 illegal immigrants.

Legal Developments

The Supreme Court upheld Section 6A of the Citizenship Act on October 17 last year. This section grants citizenship to those who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971. A five-judge bench led by then Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud affirmed that March 25, 1971, is a valid cut-off date for granting citizenship.

The concept of D voters emerged from the Assam Accord in 1997. The Election Commission created a list of individuals unable to prove their Indian nationality. Deletion or regularisation of D-voters depends on Foreigners Tribunals' orders and higher court judgements.

Recent Government Actions

In July last year, Assam's government instructed its Border Police not to forward cases of non-Muslim illegal immigrants entering before 2015 to Foreigners Tribunals. Instead, these individuals were advised to apply for citizenship through CAA. Last month, districts were told to drop ongoing cases against suspected non-Muslim illegal foreigners entering before 2015.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted in 2019, offers Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived before December 31, 2014. This provision applies after five years of residence in India.

The Assam Accord was seen as a political solution to illegal migration issues. However, its implementation remains incomplete due to various challenges and political disagreements over its clauses.

With inputs from PTI