Assam Movement
The Assam Aandolan/Assam Agitation/Assam Movement - 1979-1985: The History
No movement happens overnight. “The Assam movement like all other significant social movements has its roots in history and society from which it emerged. A social movement cannot emerge from vacuum, all of a sudden.” (The Assam Movement: Class, Ideology and Identity – Monirul Hussain, p 95) This movement slowly built up in the form of resentment against illegal immigrants from neighbouring nations, over a period of time. The encroachment of these refugees and immigrants over the immovable property and jobs in Assam and the ignorance and indifference of the ruling party towards this issue led the common citizens to rise up. This bitterness over of the years surfaced visibly only in the year 1979.
Assam movement, also known as Assam Agitation was essentially an anti-foreigners movement launched by All Assam Students Union (1979-1985). It was a six year long conflict that cost thousands of lives, displaced millions and finally and left an irreparable cleft between the Assamese and Non-Assamese people of Assam. The ultimate climax of hatred created by this movement was “us” versus “them”.
Although the movement was said to be against illegal immigrants (Bangladeshi, Bengali and Nepali immigrants), it affected many Non-Assamese who had been living in harmony with the locals for more than hundred years. Many people believe that it was a middle class (and political) uprising with selfish motives rather than a movement to control and check illegal immigration.
In the entire history of Assam, this movement is one of the biggest mass movements led by students union. “According to different media and intellectual forums the Assam Agitation is also considered as one of the biggest students’ movements in the world.” (http://www.aasu.org.in/contribution/activities/foreign_movement.html) It is believed to be one of the longest and most intensive Organised Student Movement in the World.
No movement happens overnight. “The Assam movement like all other significant social movements has its roots in history and society from which it emerged. A social movement cannot emerge from vacuum, all of a sudden.” (The Assam Movement: Class, Ideology and Identity – Monirul Hussain, p 95) This movement slowly built up in the form of resentment against illegal immigrants from neighbouring nations, over a period of time. The encroachment of these refugees and immigrants over the immovable property and jobs in Assam and the ignorance and indifference of the ruling party towards this issue led the common citizens to rise up. This bitterness over of the years surfaced visibly only in the year 1979.
Assam movement, also known as Assam Agitation was essentially an anti-foreigners movement launched by All Assam Students Union (1979-1985). It was a six year long conflict that cost thousands of lives, displaced millions and finally and left an irreparable cleft between the Assamese and Non-Assamese people of Assam. The ultimate climax of hatred created by this movement was “us” versus “them”.
Although the movement was said to be against illegal immigrants (Bangladeshi, Bengali and Nepali immigrants), it affected many Non-Assamese who had been living in harmony with the locals for more than hundred years. Many people believe that it was a middle class (and political) uprising with selfish motives rather than a movement to control and check illegal immigration.
In the entire history of Assam, this movement is one of the biggest mass movements led by students union. “According to different media and intellectual forums the Assam Agitation is also considered as one of the biggest students’ movements in the world.” (http://www.aasu.org.in/contribution/activities/foreign_movement.html) It is believed to be one of the longest and most intensive Organised Student Movement in the World.