Assam movement example of unity efforts: Sonowal

Assam movement example of unity efforts: Sonowal

Subject : Modern History

Talukdar was the first person to be killed in the movement in 1979. The programme was organised by the Assam Society of Goa .

The Assam Movement (also Anti-Foreigners Agitation) (1979–1985) was a popular uprising in Assam, India, that demanded the Government of India to detect, disenfranchise and deport illegal aliens. Led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) the movement defined a six-year period of sustained civil disobedience campaigns, political instability and widespread ethnic violence (Nellie massacre, 1983). The movement ended in 1985 with the Assam Accord.

• Assam Accord:
  • It was a tripartite accord signed between the Government of India, State Government of Assam and the leaders of the Assam Movement in 1985.
  • The signing of the Accord led to the conclusion of a six-year agitation that was launched by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in 1979, demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam.
  • It sets a cut-off of midnight of 24^th March 1971, for the detection of illegal foreigners in Assam.
    • However, the demand was for detection and deportation of migrants who had illegally entered Assam after 1951.
• Clause 6 of the Accord:
  • It says that constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.
  • The committee chaired by Biplab Kumar Sarma was constituted to define ‘Assamese People’ and institute safeguards for them.
• Recommendation of the Committee:
  • Definition of Assamese: The report proposes January 1951 as the cut-off date for any Indian citizen residing in Assam to be defined as an Assamese for the purpose of implementing Clause 6.
  • Reservation for Assamese: The report seeks reservation for Assamese in Parliament, state assembly, local bodies. It recommended creating an Upper House (Legislative Council of Assam) whose seats will be reserved for the ‘Assamese people’.
    • The report also seeks quotas in government jobs.
  • Regulation of Outsiders: The report recommends regulation of entry of people from other states into Assam, which include the implementation of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime in the state.
    • The ILP is a system in which a special permit is required by people from other regions of India to visit the state.
    • Currently the ILP is applicable in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.
  • Other Rights: The report also talks about issues related to land and land rights, linguistic, cultural and social rights and protection of the state’s resources and biodiversity.