Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed on Wednesday that approximately 1.2 lakh individuals in the state have been identified as ‘D’ voters, with 41,583 of them officially declared as foreigners. This announcement has brought renewed focus on the ongoing efforts in Assam to address the issue of illegal immigration and its impact on the region’s demographic and political landscape.
The ‘D’ voter category, short for Dubious or Doubtful, refers to individuals whose citizenship status is in question. These voters are not allowed to cast their ballots until they prove their citizenship in the Foreigners’ Tribunals, which are special courts set up to determine the nationality of those whose citizenship is contested. The identification of ‘D’ voters is part of a larger initiative in Assam aimed at identifying and deporting illegal immigrants, a contentious issue that has long influenced the state’s politics and society.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of this process, describing it as crucial for maintaining the integrity of Assam’s electoral rolls and ensuring that only genuine citizens are allowed to participate in the democratic process. He stated that the government is committed to carrying out this exercise in a fair and transparent manner, following all legal protocols to ensure that no genuine citizen is wrongly labeled as a ‘D’ voter.
Sarma also highlighted the role of the Foreigners’ Tribunals in this process. These tribunals are tasked with examining cases of individuals who have been marked as ‘D’ voters and determining their citizenship status. Of the 1.2 lakh ‘D’ voters identified, 41,583 have already been declared as foreigners by these tribunals, underscoring the scale of the issue in Assam. The Chief Minister noted that these individuals would be subject to deportation as per the legal procedures in place, although the actual process of deportation remains a challenge due to various diplomatic and logistical hurdles.
The issue of illegal immigration has been a long-standing and deeply polarizing topic in Assam. The state has seen significant migration from neighboring Bangladesh over the decades, leading to concerns about the preservation of the cultural and demographic identity of the indigenous Assamese population. Successive governments have grappled with this issue, with varying degrees of success and controversy. The identification of ‘D’ voters and the declaration of foreigners are part of the government’s broader efforts to address these concerns, though the process has been criticized by some for its potential to disenfranchise legitimate citizens.
Human rights organizations and activists have raised concerns about the fairness of the process, arguing that many individuals labeled as ‘D’ voters may not have the necessary documents to prove their citizenship, despite being genuine citizens. They have called for greater transparency and accountability in the process to ensure that no one is unjustly deprived of their rights. The government, however, maintains that all necessary safeguards are in place to protect the rights of citizens and that the tribunals operate independently and impartially.
The issue of ‘D’ voters and the broader question of illegal immigration are likely to remain contentious in Assam, as they touch on deeply held concerns about identity, security, and sovereignty. The state’s unique history and geographical location make it particularly sensitive to these issues, and any efforts to address them must balance the need for security with the protection of individual rights.
As the government continues its efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants, the impact on Assam’s society and politics will be closely watched. The identification of 1.2 lakh ‘D’ voters and the declaration of 41,583 as foreigners is a significant development in this ongoing process, one that underscores the complexity and sensitivity of the issue. How the government manages this process in the coming months and years will be crucial in determining the future of Assam’s demographic landscape and its political stability.
