Syeda Hameed’s ‘Bangladeshi’ Remarks Ignite Firestorm in Assam

A major controversy erupted in Assam following remarks by Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, a former Planning Commission member and activist, who appeared to defend the rights of Bangladeshi migrants to live in India. Speaking at a seminar in Guwahati on August 24, organized by the citizens’ forum Asom Nagarik Sanmilan, Hameed questioned the stigmatization of Muslims labeled as “Bangladeshis” in Assam, stating, “What is the crime in being a Bangladeshi? Bangladeshis are also humans. The world is so big. Bangladeshis can also live here, they are not depriving anyone of their rights.” Her comments, referencing the Assam government’s anti-encroachment drives targeting illegal settlers, sparked widespread backlash, including sharp criticism from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The remarks, captured in a widely circulated video, prompted protests by Hindu Sena activists on August 26 outside the Constitutional Club of India in Delhi, where Hameed attended another seminar titled “The State of the Nation with Special Reference to Assam.” Approximately ten protesters gathered with placards bearing slogans like “Hemant ji ka ik hi sapna, ghuspaithiyon se mukt ho Assam apna” (Himanta’s sole dream: a free Assam from infiltrators) and “Assam ki sanskriti, Assam ka shaan, nahi hone denge koi nuksaan” (Assam’s culture, Assam’s pride, we won’t let it be harmed). Police swiftly dispersed the protesters, according to a senior officer.

Chief Minister Sarma responded vehemently, accusing Hameed of legitimizing illegal infiltrators and undermining Assamese identity. In a post on X on August 25, Sarma wrote, “People like Syeda Hameed, a close confidante of the Gandhi family, legitimise infiltrators, as they seek to realise Jinnah’s dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan. Today, Assamese identity is on the brink of extinction because of the tacit support of people like her.” He emphasized that “Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam” and urged those sympathizing with them to “accommodate them in their own backyard.” Sarma’s rhetoric invoked the legacy of Lachit Barphukan, the revered Ahom general, pledging to fight “till the last drop of our blood” to protect Assam’s identity.

Also Read: Sarma: ‘Bangladeshis Not Welcome in Assam’

Hameed, addressing the backlash at the Delhi seminar on August 26, clarified her stance, noting her deep connection to Assam since 1997 through her work with the Women’s Commission and Planning Commission. “I have been to every nook and corner of Assam. But I was never conscious of the fact that I am a Muslim and a woman,” she said. Acknowledging the controversy, she remarked, “Right now, suddenly, my name is all over India... Bangladeshi has become a cuss word now. It has become a horrendous word now. Even if a few Bangladeshis have come in, sit down and negotiate with them, and escort them back.” This partial retraction suggested that illegal migrants should be repatriated humanely, a shift from her earlier statements.

The controversy reignited debates over illegal immigration in Assam, a sensitive issue tied to the Assam Accord of 1985, which mandates the detection and deportation of foreigners entering after March 24, 1971. The Asom Nagarik Samaj distanced itself from Hameed’s remarks, with convenor Ajit Kumar Bhuyan emphasizing the organization’s commitment to the Accord. Opposition leader Debabrata Saikia criticized the BJP-led government’s inaction on deportation, arguing that the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019) has emboldened such statements. The Assam Jatiya Parishad also condemned Hameed, questioning her ties to the state and demanding clarity on her alleged connections with local media figures.

Hameed’s comments, made alongside activists like Harsh Mander and Prashant Bhushan, have intensified political tensions, with the BJP accusing the Congress of supporting illegal infiltration. As Assam grapples with issues of identity, land rights, and immigration, this episode underscores the complexities of balancing humanitarian concerns with regional security and cultural preservation.

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