NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched a scathing attack on human rights activist Sayeeda Hameed after she “legitimised infiltration,” claiming that Bangladeshis are not depriving anyone of their rights.In a social media post on X, Sarma accused Hameed of seeking to realise “Jinnah’s dream” to make Assam a part of Pakistan.”People like Syeda Hameed, a close confidant of the Gandhi family, legitimise illegal infiltrators, as they seek to realise Jinnah’s dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan. Today, Assamese identity is on the brink of extinction because of the tacit support of people like her. But we are the sons and daughters of Lachit Barphukan, WE WILL FIGHT till the last drop of our blood to save our State and our identity,” Sarma said.”Let me make it very clear, Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam, it is not their land. Anyone sympathising with them may accomodate them in their own backyards. Assam is not up for grabs by illegal infiltrators, NOT NOW, NOT EVER,” he added.Union minister Kiren Rijiju also attacked Hameed and said, “Misleading in the name of humanity. It’s about our land and identity. Why are the minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus & Sikhs in Bangladesh and Pakistan are persecuted & tortured?””Sayeda Hameed may be closest to Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi but shouldn’t support illegal migrants.” He also shared a video in which Hameed was heard saying, “Bangladeshis are also human. The world is so big, Bangladeshis can also come here. They are not depriving anyone of their rights. To say that this right is being deprived, or that right is being deprived, is very troublesome, mischievous, and detrimental to humanity.””Allah created this earth for human beings, not for devils,” she added.Notably, the BJP leaders have raised their concerns multiple times over the “rising” population of “illegal immigrants” primarily from Bangladesh to the northeastern states of the country.On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the increasing population of illegal immigrants in the country is a matter of concern, and to tackle the danger, he has proposed a demographic mission, which will begin its work shortly.Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a firm stance against Bangladeshi infiltrators, emphasising that his government will not tolerate any attempts to alter the state’s demography.
