Row Erupts over Syeda Hameed’s Remarks on Bangladeshis in Assam; Rijiju and CM Slam ‘Attack on Sovereignty’ - The Statesman

Row erupts after activist says Bangladeshis can live in Assam

The Assamese identity was on the brink of extinction because of the ‘tacit support’ of persons such as Syeda Hameed, said CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

1.5 lakh bighas and a storm: What Himanta's eviction drive in Assam has achieved

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's eviction campaign has not only freed over 1.5 lakh bigha of land since 2021 but has stirred a storm ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. The Opposition alleges communal bias, political polarisation and collusion with industrialists. While Sarma frames the drive as vital to protecting Assam's identity and resources, critics say it targets Bengali-speaking Muslims.

‘Bangladeshis not welcome in Assam’: CM hits out at Syeda Hameed, Jamiat chief

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, August 25, lashed out at activist and former Planning Commission member Syeda Saiyidain Hameed for her remark that “Bangladeshis can live here”, asserting that such statements legitimise infiltrators and seek to “realise Jinnah’s dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan.” The previous day, Hameed made a controversial statement saying, “What’s wrong if they are Bangladeshis? Bangladeshis are als…

Row erupts over Syeda Hameed’s remarks on Bangladeshis in Assam; Rijiju and CM slam ‘Attack on Sovereignty’ - The Statesman

Hameed, accompanied by a delegation of civil society figures including Prashant Bhushan, Harsh Mander, Jawahar Sircar, Wajahat Habibullah, and Fayaz Shaheen, was in Assam at the invitation of Asom Nagarik Sanmilan to assess eviction drives, citizenship issues, and treatment of Muslims in the state.

Activist Syeda Hameed faces backlash after ‘Bangladeshis can live in Assam’ remarks

The remarks, made amid eviction drives by the Assam government, triggered outrage.

Syeda Hameed Says Bangladeshis Can Live In Assam, Cites Allah Made Earth For Humans

Remark triggers political storm; CM Himanta Biswa Sarma slams ‘propaganda’, Congress distances from comment but opposes eviction