Permanent Cure For Bangladesh Issue Is Surgery: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

In a stark warning over escalating unrest in Bangladesh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Monday that diplomatic solutions are failing and a permanent resolution might require "surgery." Speaking exclusively at News18's Rising Assam Conclave, Sarma emphasized the direct threat posed to India's Northeast, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of the strategic Siliguri Corridor, or 'Chicken Neck'.

"The 'Chicken Neck' is our biggest strategic concern and an unfinished agenda," Sarma asserted. He pointed out that this narrow stretch, connecting the Northeast to mainland India, is flanked by Bangladesh on both sides. Sarma suggested that India may eventually need to secure 20-22 kilometers of land, through diplomacy or other means, to safeguard this critical link. "When medicine fails, surgery becomes necessary," he said, using a medical analogy to describe the deteriorating situation.

Sarma launched a sharp critique of Bangladesh's current political climate, predicting the interim government under Mohammed Yunus would not endure. He alleged the regime has fostered conditions deeply alarming for India's border states. While elections could offer a reprieve, he cautioned that the present challenges are unprecedented.

Reflecting on history, the Chief Minister questioned decisions made during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, implying a missed opportunity to permanently address the Chicken Neck issue under then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He further blamed Congress-era Partition policies for creating long-term demographic crises, claiming many Bangladeshi Hindus would have chosen India if given a choice.

The CM voiced grave concerns over targeted violence against minorities in Bangladesh and its ripple effects. However, his most alarming assessment focused on Assam's own demographic shift. He claimed that nearly 40% of Assam's population is now of Bangladeshi origin, a dramatic rise from 10-15% at Independence, labelling the state a "powder keg."

"By the 2027 census, Assam's Hindu and Muslim populations could become equal, making governance extremely complex," Sarma projected. He concluded by asserting that post-Hasina Bangladesh is veering towards extremism, a path that inevitably creates friction with India. Urging patience but preparedness, Sarma left the timing and method of addressing these crises to the central government, noting, "History has its moment."