In a charged political statement, the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday warned of a “Miya land” threat looming over the state.
The party squarely blamed decades of unchecked infiltration from Bangladesh during Congress rule for a growing demographic imbalance in several regions of Assam.
This strong assertion has added fresh fuel to the ongoing debate over land, identity, and illegal immigration in the state.
BJP Links ‘Miya Land’ Agenda to Past Congress Governance
State BJP leaders claimed that successive Congress governments allowed infiltration to flourish unchecked.
This, they said, enabled settlements in areas that are now showing drastic changes in population patterns. According to them, this long-standing trend is threatening the cultural and political identity of indigenous communities in Assam.
“The Congress nurtured illegal infiltration for vote-bank politics. Now the people of Assam are paying the price,” said a senior state BJP spokesperson at a press conference in Guwahati.
The term “Miya” is commonly used to refer to Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam.
The BJP has accused this group of attempting to consolidate land and political influence in sensitive districts such as Barpeta, Dhubri, and Goalpara.
Assam’s Land Worries in Focus Again
This warning from the BJP comes amid increasing political noise around the use of agricultural and forest land in Assam.
The government has recently launched eviction drives in areas it claims are “encroached by illegal settlers.”
Critics argue that many of these drives disproportionately affect Muslim communities, especially those of Bengali origin. The BJP has defended the actions, asserting that they are essential for protecting the land rights of indigenous Assamese people.
Meanwhile, local leaders from minority communities have pushed back against the narrative, calling it divisive and discriminatory.
BJP Calls for Urgent Land Policy Reforms
The BJP leadership has urged the Assam government to tighten land records and prevent further encroachment.
They also demanded a fresh delimitation of constituencies to reflect the current demographic reality of Assam. Party leaders alleged that some infiltrators have fraudulently obtained land documents and other government-issued IDs.
“The danger is not just demographic. It is political. We need urgent policy correction,” said another BJP legislator.
The state government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has already taken steps to digitize land records and conduct surveys in sensitive districts.
Congress Rejects Allegations, Terms Them Divisive
The Congress party has strongly rejected the BJP’s accusations.
A state Congress leader said the BJP is “scapegoating minorities to hide its own failures.” They alleged that the ruling party is trying to create fear ahead of upcoming civic polls.
“Congress gave Assam peace through the Assam Accord. BJP is undoing the unity we built,” the Congress spokesperson added.
He further accused the BJP of ignoring development in minority-dominated districts while using communal rhetoric for political mileage.
Public Response Mixed as Political Climate Heats Up
Residents of the affected areas have expressed mixed views.
Some support the BJP’s stance, stating that unchecked population growth and land encroachment are genuine issues.
Others feel unfairly targeted by sweeping allegations and worry about increased communal tension in their localities.
The state government has not issued a formal notification regarding any “Miya land” policy but says steps will be taken to safeguard tribal belts and protected areas from illegal occupation.
Broader Political Impact and the Road Ahead
The BJP’s statements are expected to dominate the political narrative in Assam over the coming weeks.
The party is likely to amplify the issue during its campaigns for panchayat elections due later this year.
Political analysts say the move is part of the BJP’s broader strategy to consolidate its base by focusing on identity and land protection themes.
Meanwhile, civil society groups have called for calm and urged all parties to refrain from making inflammatory remarks.
With land and identity forming the core of Assam’s socio-political fabric, any such issue can swiftly escalate tensions on the ground.
As the debate continues, Assam’s land policies and demographic data are likely to be at the center of state politics in the months to come.