Assam Crisis

In this article , we will  deal with topic titled ‘Assam Crisis post independence .’

 

 

Reasons

• Underdevelopment of  Assam : Assamese had this persistent grievance that unfair treatment had been meted out to them by the center in terms of – allocation of funds, location of industrial and other economic enterprises, depriving Assam of it’s due share of revenues from crude oil, tea etc and control of its economy and resources by the outsiders
• Historical Reason : Since the Colonial times, many Bengalis had settled in Assam and occupied position in Government services. Predominance of Bengalis in education and middle class jobs posed a threat to Assamese language and culture . Hence, a movement was started for making Assamese as the sole official language and medium of instruction
• Illegal Migration : Demographic Profile of Assam underwent a change due to large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh.
• Assamese felt that the development and consolidation of wider Assamese identity was prevented by government’s decision to separate tribal areas from Assam

=> Hence, due to fear of reduction to minority, subordination of their language and culture , loss of control over economy and politics, loss of identity etc created the grounds for Assam Crisis of 1979-85

 

 

The people urged the Government to seal the Assam border and deport the illegal migrants. However, when the conditions weren’t met, there was large scale unrest.

 

Hence , with passage of Assam Accord, 1985 , the political turbulence came to an end

 

 

Assam Accord

Between Assam Gana Parishad and Rajiv Gandhi Government

• All the migrants who have entered
  • before or between 1951-61 were to be given full citizenship rights
  • Between 1961-71 , although given other rights but denied voting rights for 10 years
  • Post 1971, all those who have entered to be deported
• Package for economic development of Assam was announced
• Central Government to provide legislative and administrative safeguards to protect cultural , social and linguistic identity of Assamese people