Union Minority Affairs Minister accuses former member of the Planning Commission of undermining India’s identity while Muslim groups defend her stand for justice and compassion
NEW DELHI — The political temperature in Assam has sharply risen after former Planning Commission member Syeda Syedain Hameed voiced support for Bangladeshi refugees living in the state, prompting a strong response from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Syeda Hameed, who served during the UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, recently visited Assam amid ongoing eviction drives targeting alleged illegal immigrants. During her visit, she stated, “Bangladeshis are also humans. The land is so big that Bangladeshis can live here. Their presence will not violate anyone’s rights.”
She further remarked, “Allah has created this land for humans, not for devils. If a human is standing on the land, evicting him is doomsday for Muslims.” She accused the Assam government of oppressing Muslims by labelling them as Bangladeshis and criticised the reasoning behind depriving Indian citizens of their rights, calling it “extremely mischievous and harmful to humanity.”
Syeda Hameed’s statements were immediately condemned by BJP leaders. On the social media platform X, Minority Minister Kiren Rijiju wrote, “This is a question of our land and identity. Why are minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs persecuted and tortured in Bangladesh and Pakistan? Syeda Hameed may be closest to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but she should not support illegal immigrants.”
Rijiju’s reaction has sparked a heated debate nationwide. While BJP leaders accused Syeda Hameed of undermining India’s sovereignty in the name of humanity, Muslim organisations and intellectuals have come forward to support her, emphasising the moral and humanitarian duty to protect refugees.
Abdul Rahman, a local community leader in Assam, said, “Syeda Hameed has spoken the truth. Refugees are human beings and deserve compassion. Treating them as enemies only fuels division and harms innocent Muslim families.”
Another activist, Farida Khan, added, “It is shameful that speaking about humanity is now treated as a crime. Muslims in Assam have lived peacefully for generations. These eviction drives are creating fear and insecurity.”
The controversy comes at a time when the Assam government is intensifying efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants, mainly targeting Muslim communities. Human rights groups argue that the process often blurs the line between illegal immigrants and Indian citizens, leading to arbitrary discrimination against Muslims.
Political analysts suggest that Syeda Hameed’s comments are part of a broader movement defending minority rights in Assam. “The BJP has consistently tried to politicise refugee issues to gain electoral advantage,” said Dr Imran Sheikh, a political observer. “Voices like Syeda Hameed’s are crucial to remind India of its moral responsibilities.”
Despite the criticism, Syeda Hameed’s supporters are rallying behind her, highlighting the ethical and humanitarian dimensions of her message. Many point out that millions of Bangladeshi migrants have lived peacefully in India for decades and should not be treated as a threat.
As tensions continue to rise, Assam remains a flashpoint where politics, religion, and human rights collide. The dispute over the treatment of refugees and Indian Muslims has ignited national debates about justice, equality, and the responsibility of the government to protect vulnerable communities.
Local Muslim leader Syed Ali commented: “It is heartbreaking to see fear being used to target innocent Muslims. Syeda Hameed has shown courage in defending humanity and speaking against injustice.”
Observers say this controversy is likely to intensify as both sides mobilise support. While the BJP focuses on sovereignty and national identity, Muslim groups and human rights defenders insist that compassion and fairness must guide the handling of refugees.
The debate over Assam’s refugees is far from over, and Syeda Hameed’s statement may mark a significant moment in India’s ongoing struggle to balance national security concerns with human rights, minority protections, and ethical governance.
