Reflections on the Politics of Immigration Problem in Assam: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

The initial euphoria of independence from colonial rule in India soon subsided when Assam, one of the northeastern states of the country had to face a major challenge in the form of immigration into its territory. This was however not a post-colonial phenomenon. Immigration was a colonial policy designed to accomplish imperialistic designs of the British rulers. The paper explores the historical origins of the problem of immigration in colonial and post-colonial Assam and the politics that was being played within it which escalated the magnitude of the problem. In the post-independence period, apathy of the central and state government, faulty laws and policies have led to burgeoning of the problem. Construction of illegal vote banks has enabled politicians without performance to keep returning to power. This has led to a sense of insecurity among the indigenous people of Assam whose socio-cultural identity remains threatened in the backdrop of unchecked immigration.