Rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh deeply worrying: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's recent statement regarding the rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and its alleged link to growing jihadist activities in Assam over the last decade brings to the forefront a complex web of internal security, cross-border relations, and communal harmony challenges for India. This issue is not merely a regional concern but has profound national implications, particularly for India's foreign policy, internal security apparatus, and demographic landscape.

**Background Context:**

To truly grasp the gravity of the CM's statement, one must delve into the historical context of religious minorities in Bangladesh and India-Bangladesh relations. The partition of British India in 1947, which led to the creation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), initiated a period of significant demographic shifts and communal tensions. Hindus, a substantial minority in East Pakistan, faced sporadic persecution, which intensified during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. While Bangladesh emerged as a secular nation, the rise of fundamentalist elements over the decades has consistently threatened the safety and rights of its Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian minorities. Reports of forced conversions, land grabbing, and targeted violence against these communities have been a recurring concern for India, especially for its border states like West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, which share deep cultural and historical ties with Bangladesh.

**What Happened:**

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma explicitly voiced deep worry over the worsening situation for Hindus in Bangladesh. Crucially, he connected this external issue to an internal security threat, citing "evidence of growing jihadist activities in Assam over the last 10 years." This linkage suggests a perceived transnational security nexus, where instability and persecution across the border could fuel radicalization and extremist movements within India, particularly in its sensitive northeastern states. The CM's statement implies that these two phenomena are not isolated but rather interconnected, posing a significant security challenge to India.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

1. **Government of India:** Primarily concerned with internal security, border management, diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, and the welfare of persecuted minorities. The central government has a vested interest in regional stability and preventing radicalization.

2. **Government of Bangladesh:** Faces the dual challenge of protecting its minority populations and combating extremist elements within its borders. Its response to these allegations and its actions to safeguard minorities are crucial for bilateral relations.

3. **Hindu Minority in Bangladesh:** The direct victims of persecution, facing threats to their lives, property, and religious freedom. Their plight often leads to migration, creating refugee crises.

4. **Extremist/Jihadist Groups:** These elements, operating both within Bangladesh and potentially in Assam, are the perpetrators of violence and radicalization, aiming to destabilize regional peace and communal harmony.

5. **Assam State Government:** As a border state, Assam is directly impacted by cross-border issues, including illegal immigration, demographic changes, and the potential spread of radical ideologies.

**Why This Matters for India:**

This issue holds immense significance for India across multiple dimensions. From an **internal security** perspective, an influx of undocumented immigrants, especially those fleeing persecution, can strain resources, alter demographics, and potentially be exploited by radical groups. The CM's claim of growing jihadist activities in Assam, if substantiated, points to a direct threat to peace and stability in a region already sensitive to insurgency and ethnic tensions. From a **diplomatic** standpoint, while India and Bangladesh share strong ties, concerns over minority safety can create friction. India's humanitarian obligations towards persecuted minorities, especially those with historical and cultural links, often clash with the principle of non-interference in another country's internal affairs. **Socially**, such issues can exacerbate communal tensions within India, particularly in states with significant immigrant populations. Policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, which aims to grant citizenship to religious minorities (excluding Muslims) fleeing persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, directly stem from these concerns.

**Historical Context:**

The roots of this problem lie deep in the post-Partition communal dynamics. The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War saw widespread atrocities, including those against Hindus, leading to a massive refugee influx into India. Subsequent periods, particularly after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, saw the rise of Islamist parties and a decline in the secular ethos, further marginalizing minorities. Each instance of communal violence in Bangladesh has historically led to waves of migration into India, shaping the demography and politics of India's northeastern states.

**Future Implications:**

If the situation in Bangladesh deteriorates further, India could face increased pressure to accept more refugees, leading to renewed debates around policies like the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC). This could strain India-Bangladesh relations and exacerbate internal social and political divisions. The alleged rise of jihadist activities in Assam, if linked to cross-border dynamics, necessitates robust intelligence sharing and coordinated security efforts between India and Bangladesh. Failure to address these concerns effectively could lead to increased radicalization, communal clashes, and destabilization of the sensitive India-Bangladesh border region. India's role as a regional power and its commitment to secularism will be tested in how it navigates this complex issue, balancing national security with humanitarian concerns.

**Related Constitutional Articles, Acts, or Policies:**

1. **Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019:** This Act provides a path to Indian citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian religious minorities who have fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. It is directly relevant to the issue of persecuted minorities from Bangladesh.

2. **National Register of Citizens (NRC):** The exercise conducted in Assam aimed to identify illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh, and is central to the debate on citizenship and demographic changes in the state.

3. **Article 14 (Equality before law):** While CAA has been challenged on grounds of violating Article 14 by differentiating based on religion, the government argues it addresses a specific humanitarian crisis.

4. **Article 25-28 (Right to Freedom of Religion):** These articles guarantee religious freedom within India, and the plight of minorities in Bangladesh underscores the importance of protecting these rights.

5. **Foreigners Act, 1946:** Deals with the entry, stay, and departure of foreigners in India.

6. **Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920:** Regulates the entry of persons into India.

7. **Articles related to Centre-State relations (e.g., Article 256, 257):** Internal security, while a state subject, often requires central government intervention and coordination, especially for cross-border issues.

8. **India-Bangladesh Bilateral Agreements:** Various pacts exist for border management, security cooperation, and trade, which might need to be leveraged or revisited to address these new challenges.