The Assam Accord, signed in 1985, remains one of the most significant political agreements in India’s northeast, addressing the region’s concerns about identity, illegal immigration, and political autonomy. A critical component of this accord is Clause 6, which promises to safeguard the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the Assamese people. After years of delay, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that his government will finally implement this clause, raising hopes and questions about its potential impact on the state.
The Assam Accord: A Brief Overview
The Assam Accord was signed on August 15, 1985, between the Government of India and the leaders of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), following a six-year-long anti-foreigner agitation in the state. The agitation, which began in 1979, was rooted in widespread concerns over the large-scale influx of illegal immigrants, especially from neighboring Bangladesh, which locals feared would alter the demographic composition and threaten the identity and culture of Assam.
The accord sought to address these concerns through several key provisions, such as identifying and deporting illegal immigrants and protecting the rights of Assamese people. Clause 6 of the accord specifically promises:
“Constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.”
While other parts of the Assam Accord have seen varying levels of implementation, Clause 6 has long remained an unfulfilled promise. Successive governments have struggled to define the exact mechanisms and criteria for these safeguards, leading to prolonged delays and frustration among the local population.
What Does Clause 6 Aim to Achieve?
Clause 6 of the Assam Accord is designed to ensure that the indigenous people of Assam retain control over their land, language, culture, and resources. In a state that has experienced significant demographic shifts due to migration, the clause is viewed as a way to protect the rights of the original inhabitants. The fear of being outnumbered and losing political and cultural dominance has been a core concern for many Assamese people, and Clause 6 aims to address these anxieties.
The key demands under Clause 6 include:
- Political Safeguards: Ensuring greater political representation for indigenous Assamese people by reserving seats in the Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies.
- Land Rights: Provisions to ensure that land ownership is restricted to indigenous Assamese to prevent outsiders from acquiring large tracts of land in the state.
- Employment Safeguards: Reservation of government jobs for the indigenous population.
- Cultural and Linguistic Protection: Measures to preserve and promote the Assamese language and cultural traditions.
While these demands are clear, implementing Clause 6 has been complicated by the need to define who qualifies as an “Assamese person” and how the state will ensure these safeguards without infringing on the rights of other communities living in Assam.
The Himanta Government’s Plan
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has recently declared his government’s intent to implement Clause 6, stirring renewed interest in the matter. Sarma’s announcement follows years of political debates, expert committee reports, and public discussions on how to operationalize this critical provision.
In 2019, the central government constituted a high-level committee to make recommendations on the implementation of Clause 6. The committee submitted its report in 2020, proposing various measures, including:
- Defining “Assamese people” as those whose names or ancestors’ names were in the 1951 National Register of Citizens (NRC) or the electoral rolls before 1971.
- Introducing constitutional amendments to reserve Assembly and Parliamentary seats for Assamese people.
- Ensuring 80-100% reservation for indigenous Assamese people in land rights, government jobs, and educational institutions.
However, despite the report being submitted, no concrete steps were taken to implement these recommendations. With the Himanta-led Assam government now committing to act on Clause 6, many are eager to see whether these proposals will be adopted and how they will be operationalized.
Challenges to Implementation
One of the biggest challenges in implementing Clause 6 is defining who qualifies as “Assamese.” The region is home to a wide array of ethnic and linguistic communities, including Assamese-speaking people, Bengali Hindus, Bengali Muslims, and several indigenous tribal groups. Arriving at a definition that satisfies all stakeholders without alienating any community is a complex task.
Moreover, there are concerns that implementing Clause 6 could lead to tensions between different communities in Assam, particularly between the Assamese people and Bengali-speaking Muslims and Hindus, who have also lived in the region for generations. Ensuring that the safeguards benefit the indigenous population without leading to discrimination against other communities will be a delicate balancing act.
A Step Towards Fulfilling an Old Promise
The Himanta government’s decision to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has reignited hopes that the long-standing promise of protecting Assam’s indigenous identity will finally be realized. If successful, the move could address some of the state’s most pressing demographic and cultural concerns. However, the path to implementation is fraught with challenges, particularly in defining eligibility and ensuring that no group feels marginalized.
As Assam awaits the next steps in this process, the successful execution of Clause 6 will require careful deliberation, consensus-building, and a commitment to preserving the state’s unique cultural heritage while maintaining harmony among its diverse communities.
