Fate of Assam Accord

While both Congress and BJP have taken diametrically opposite stands as far as the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 is concerned, what is most surprising is that both Congress and BJP are silent as far as implementation of the Assam Accord is concerned. In fact neither of the two parties – Congress and BJP – has mentioned the words ‘Assam Accord’ in their respective election manifestos.

A close look at the Congress manifesto reveals that it has taken a very casual approach towards the Northeast in general and Assam in particular. Firstly, there is no mention at all of the words ‘Assam’ and ‘Assam Accord’ in the Congress manifesto. Yes, it has specifically stated that it is against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. But then look at the sentence it has printed in the manifesto – "We will withdraw immediately the widely resented Citizenship Amendment Bill introduced by the BJP Government against the wishes of the people of the NES.’’ The Congress manifesto does not have any mention about demographic change caused in Assam by the Bangladeshis. Regarding large-scale influx from Bangladesh, the Congress party carefully avoids mentioning about Assam Accord, and instead says it would address the issue of illegal immigration "through consultation with the NES and evolve a consensus on the legislative measures that will secure the identity of the indigenous communities.’’ It is totally silent on detection of Bangladeshi infiltrators. Instead, it has promised to "engage the neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar, to address and resolve the issue of illegal immigration into India’’, without ever for once mentioning why it had never thought of doing so in the past several decades. The Congress manifesto is also silent on completion of border fence with Bangladesh. What is most alarming is that under Point 08 of ‘Foreign Policy’ the Congress has promised to pass a ‘Law on Asylum’ consistent with international treaties and conventions, indirectly saying it was also in favour of providing shelter to Hindu Bangladeshis as well as Rohingya Muslims.

Now look at the BJP manifesto. In Point 07 under the head ‘Nation First’, the BJP however clearly refers to "huge change in the cultural and linguistic identity of some areas due to illegal immigration, resulting in an adverse impact on local people’s livelihood and employment", and thus promises to expeditiously complete the National Register of Citizens process on priority. It also talks about implementing the NRC in a phased manner all over the country. In Point No 12, however BJP expresses its adamant stand on passing the Citizenship Bill and provide Indian citizenship to Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh "escaping persecution" from neighbouring countries. Surprisingly, there is no mention of Christians "escaping persecution’’ from these countries. The BJP government’s earlier stand on implementing Clause 6 of the Assam Accord is missing in its manifesto. Instead, it says –"We will make all efforts to clarify the issues to the sections of population from the Northeastern states who have expressed apprehensions regarding the legislation.’’ Like the Congress, BJP is also silent on detection of Bangladeshi infiltrators. But, in Point 8 of it manifesto, the BJP says – "We will continue to undertake effective steps to prevent illegal immigration in the Northeastern states. For this, we will further strengthen our border security. A pilot project on the use of technology to strengthen border security (Smart Fencing) was implemented in Dhubri (Assam). We will implement this on all borders.’’

Interestingly, the AGP, which has revived its alliance with BJP on the eve of the election, has not only promised to implement the Assam Accord, but has also said it had come together with BJP "to ensure implementation of the Assam Accord’’, little realising that the saffron party is totally silent on the Accord. Likewise, the groups and intellectuals who have been indirectly campaigning for the Congress by asking the people not to vote for BJP and AGP have also mysteriously refrained from asking the Congress why it is silent on the Assam Accord.