Assam, July 28 (V7N) – In a wave of forced evictions that has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and opposition leaders, authorities in India's northeastern state of Assam have bulldozed the homes of thousands of Muslim families over the past few weeks, leaving many homeless and living under makeshift tarpaulin shelters.

The evictions, reportedly the largest in Assam’s recent history, have intensified ahead of the state’s upcoming elections. According to Reuters, local authorities claim that the operation is aimed at removing “illegal encroachers,” while victims and rights activists argue the crackdown is discriminatory and disproportionately targets Muslims, many of whom have valid citizenship documents.

Residents in areas like Goalpara have described the horror of losing their homes without warning. “They demolished our houses and we took shelter in this camp,” said Shah Jamal Hussain, a local resident. “No one from the government has come to help or even speak to us.”

Another evicted resident, Jabedul Islam, voiced anger and despair, saying:

“They accuse us because we are Muslims. They call us Bangladeshis, talk about beef, temples, mosques... These allegations are baseless. If anyone is actually Bangladeshi, let them be deported, but we are citizens of this country.”

Despite these testimonies, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has defended the evictions, branding the affected residents as “Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators” who, he claims, threaten the state's demographic balance and Indian identity. However, the Chief Minister declined to comment when approached by Reuters for clarification.

The state government’s data reveals that in just the past month, approximately 3,400 Muslim families have been displaced across five districts. This follows the eviction of an estimated 4,700 families between 2016 and 2021. Many of the victims say they possess documents tracing their citizenship back generations, including land records, voter IDs, and government-issued certificates.

The situation has sparked outcry from across India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has publicly condemned the actions, contrasting the silence of other national leaders.

Human rights groups warn that labeling thousands of economically vulnerable people as "foreigners" without due process is a violation of both national and international norms. They argue that the eviction campaign is not just illegal but communal in nature, targeting Muslims under the guise of immigration enforcement.

The BJP-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long faced criticism for its hardline policies toward minorities, especially Muslims. Activists say the Assam evictions are part of a broader pattern of exclusionary politics and discriminatory citizenship measures, including the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC).

With many families now living in squalid conditions, the fear of further displacement and violence continues to loom large. Local authorities have so far failed to offer any rehabilitation plan or compensation, pushing thousands into destitution and uncertainty.

As international attention turns to Assam, rights observers call for urgent humanitarian support and an independent investigation into the evictions, demanding an end to policies that undermine India’s pluralistic values and constitutional protections.

Source: Reuters

END/RH/AJ