On July 25, 2025, thousands of Assamese and tribal residents of Dhemaji district in Assam organised a torch rally (mashaal), vocalising their support for the state government’s eviction drive against suspected illegal Bangladeshi Muslim settlers in forested areas.
Carrying mashals and chanting slogans such as “Bangladeshi Hosiar” (Bangladeshis beware) and “Bangladeshi Go Back,” protestors demanded that all suspected Bangladeshi immigrants vacate the district within 15 days, threatening to take action if their ultimatum was ignored. The demonstration underscores rising tensions over illegal immigration and resource control, yet official government responses to this specific protest remain awaited.
Mass Mobilisation Reflects Deep Local Anxieties
The large-scale gathering—comprising primarily indigenous Assamese and tribal communities—was a vivid expression of longstanding worries about the demographic and environmental impacts of suspected illegal settlements in forest areas. Participants’ chants and the fiery torchlight march symbolised a fierce determination to protect their cultural identity, land rights, and natural resources.
Residents fear that unchecked immigration contributes to stress on local ecosystems, threatens biodiversity, and alters the socio-cultural fabric of Dhemaji. Such protests are not isolated but part of a larger pattern of community-led demands across Assam’s border districts for stricter enforcement of immigration laws. Community leaders articulated concerns about the erosion of indigenous livelihoods and demanded robust government intervention.
Historical and Political Context Deepens Complexity
Assam’s history is marked by decades of migration-related tensions, rooted in fears over illegal immigration primarily from Bangladesh, which have occasionally led to violent clashes and social unrest. Movements such as the Assam Agitation in the 1980s, led by the All Assam Students Union (AASU), highlighted the indigenous population’s fears of being culturally and economically marginalised.
The recent eviction initiatives led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s administration form part of a broader political narrative that champions safeguarding indigenous rights and forest conservation. These state-led drives have included clearing suspected illegal encroachments in border and forest areas, which the government argues are necessary to uphold law and order and promote sustainable development. In a statement the CM said “I may not hold the position of Chief Minister tomorrow, but I urge every local organisation, indigenous community, and vigilant citizen to ensure that not a single Bangladeshi Muslim family is allowed to settle in their neighbourhood. It begins with one family and can lead to the loss of an entire village.”
He also voiced serious concern over troubling reports emerging from across Assam, highlighting that infiltration has become deeply entrenched, posing a threat to the state’s cultural and demographic identity.
“Even if I remain Chief Minister for life, it would still not be enough to remove all Bangladeshi infiltrators,” warned Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
However, critics caution that these rounds of eviction risk displacing vulnerable communities, some of whom may have lived in affected areas for generations, and may exacerbate ethnic tensions. Ongoing debates in Assam regarding citizenship verification, identity cards, and resource allocation add to this fraught atmosphere.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While The Logical Indian recognises the genuine concerns of indigenous Assamese and tribal communities over preserving their culture, environment, and land rights, it is crucial that all measures pertaining to evictions and immigration enforcement adhere strictly to principles of justice, transparency, and human dignity. Heavy-handed or unilateral eviction drives without fair and open processes might deepen social divisions and undermine communal harmony in a region richly marked by diversity.
We underscore the necessity of fostering dialogue between all stakeholders—government, indigenous groups, and migrants—to devise solutions that balance ecological sustainability, social cohesion, and human rights. This approach can help avert conflict and promote inclusive growth.
Assamese Awakening 🔥🔥🔥
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) July 25, 2025
Thousands and Thousands of Assamese and tribals people came out on streets of Dhemaji district with ‘Mashals’ shouting “Bangladeshi Hosiar” “Bangladeshi Go Back” in support of @himantabiswa Government for eviction of suspected Bangladeshi Muslims from… pic.twitter.com/1ckDVSvvLO
