What is a Foreign National Movement? Discuss about the Foreign National Movement of Assam.

Foreign National Movement: A Conceptual Overview

The term Foreign National Movement refers to movements that seek to address the issue of illegal immigration, particularly the influx of foreign nationals into a specific region or country. These movements arise when a population believes that the presence of foreign nationals, often considered illegal or undocumented immigrants, threatens its economic stability, cultural identity, social fabric, and national security. The movements are typically driven by concerns over the loss of resources, competition for jobs, the dilution of cultural values, and changes in demographic composition.

In India, the issue of foreign nationals and illegal immigration has been particularly contentious in regions bordering neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal. The most notable Foreign National Movement in India is the Assam Movement, which emerged as a response to large-scale migration from East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) into Assam, especially during the post-independence period.

The Foreign National Movement of Assam

The Foreign National Movement in Assam primarily refers to the Assam Agitation (1979-1985), a large-scale political and social movement spearheaded by various organizations, most notably the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), with the objective of identifying and deporting illegal immigrants, particularly those from Bangladesh. The movement was deeply rooted in concerns over demographic changes, economic disparity, and the cultural integrity of Assam, and it culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985.

Background to the Movement

Assam has historically been a region with a complex demographic composition, where various ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups coexisted. The issue of illegal immigration from neighboring Bangladesh has its origins in the colonial period and was exacerbated after the partition of India in 1947. The partition resulted in significant migration of Muslims from East Bengal (now Bangladesh) to Assam, but the flow of migrants accelerated after the independence of India in 1947, particularly in the years following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

During the 1971 war, millions of refugees fled East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to India, and a significant portion of them ended up in Assam, as the state shares a long border with Bangladesh. While many refugees returned to Bangladesh after the war, a large number remained in Assam, either due to administrative difficulties or because they had already settled down.

Over the years, Assam saw an influx of immigrants, most of whom were Muslims from Bangladesh, although Hindus and other religious communities also migrated. The locals, particularly the Assamese-speaking population, felt increasingly threatened by the demographic changes. They feared that the large number of Bengali-speaking immigrants would overpower Assamese culture, language, and identity, leading to economic and social marginalization of the indigenous Assamese.

Causes of the Movement

Several factors contributed to the rise of the Foreign National Movement in Assam:

1. Demographic Changes: The most significant concern was the perceived alteration of Assam's demographic profile due to illegal immigration. The influx of Bengali-speaking Muslims and Hindus from Bangladesh caused anxiety among the indigenous Assamese population, who feared that they would become a minority in their own land.
2. Economic Competition: The migrants, many of whom were poor and seeking work, competed with the local population for limited resources such as land, employment, and government services. This fueled resentment among the locals, who saw the newcomers as a threat to their economic stability.
3. Political Concerns: Many Assamese felt that the illegal immigrants had been politically mobilized by various parties, especially after the 1971 war, when refugees from Bangladesh were granted voting rights. This, they argued, gave illegal immigrants political influence and undermined the political power of the indigenous Assamese population.
4. Cultural Identity: The influx of Bengali-speaking people was seen as a direct challenge to the Assamese language and culture. Assamese intellectuals and leaders felt that the Bengali immigrants posed a threat to the preservation of Assamese culture, traditions, and language.
5. Border Issues: Assam's long border with Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) made the state particularly vulnerable to illegal migration. The porous border and lack of stringent immigration control allowed thousands of people to cross into Assam without documentation.

The Assam Agitation (1979-1985)

The Foreign National Movement in Assam reached its peak in 1979 with the start of the Assam Agitation, which was organized by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and later supported by other regional political groups like the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). The movement demanded that the government take immediate action to identify and deport illegal immigrants and protect the rights of indigenous Assamese people.

The movement had several key demands:

1. Identification and Deportation of Foreign Nationals: The main objective was to identify all illegal immigrants residing in Assam and to deport them to Bangladesh. The students demanded that those who had entered Assam after 1951 be classified as foreign nationals and treated as illegal immigrants.
2. Protection of Assamese Identity: The movement sought to protect and promote the Assamese language, culture, and way of life. It also demanded that Assamese be made the sole official language of the state and that government jobs and educational opportunities be reserved for indigenous Assamese people.
3. Update the National Register of Citizens (NRC): One of the central demands was the updating of the NRC, a register that would list all citizens of Assam and exclude foreign nationals. The NRC had been originally created in 1951, but the movement sought to update it to reflect the changing demographic situation.

The Assam Accord (1985)

The Assam Agitation culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985, which was an agreement between the government of India and the leaders of the movement. The key provisions of the Assam Accord included:

1. Identification of Foreign Nationals: The Accord stipulated that all illegal immigrants who had entered Assam after March 24, 1971, the day before the Bangladesh Liberation War ended, would be treated as foreign nationals and their names would be struck off the electoral rolls.
2. Updating the NRC: The Accord also called for the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify the genuine citizens of Assam, which was supposed to be done on the basis of documents and other evidence.
3. Protection of Assamese Language and Culture: The Accord reaffirmed the importance of protecting and promoting the Assamese language, culture, and heritage. Assamese was to be the official language of the state, and special provisions were made to protect the rights of indigenous communities.
4. Resettlement of Displaced People: The Accord also addressed the issue of displaced people, providing for the rehabilitation of those who had been affected by the violence during the movement.

While the Assam Accord was seen as a victory for the movement’s leaders, its implementation has been fraught with challenges, particularly in terms of identifying and deporting illegal immigrants and updating the NRC. The issue of illegal immigration remains a politically sensitive topic in Assam, with periodic flare-ups of unrest and calls for a more comprehensive solution.

Conclusion

The Foreign National Movement of Assam, particularly the Assam Agitation, was a significant chapter in the region’s political history. It was driven by deep concerns over illegal immigration, the protection of Assamese culture, and the preservation of local economic and political interests. Though the Assam Accord brought a temporary resolution, the issue of illegal immigration and the status of foreign nationals in Assam continues to be a source of political controversy, and the legacy of the movement still shapes the state’s politics today.

Subscribe on YouTube - NotesWorld

For PDF copy of Solved Assignment

Any University Assignment Solution

WhatsApp - 9113311883 (Paid)