Introduction to the Assam Agitation

The Axom Andolan, also known as the Assam Agitation, was a significant mass movement that began in 1979. This movement aimed to address the issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and elsewhere who the local populace believed were taking over their homeland. Originating from a 1979 by-elections preparation, this agitation ultimately led to the formation of a political party and marked a turning point in Assam's political landscape.

Early Stages and Development of the Agitation

The seeds of the Assam Agitation were sown when Hiralal Patwari, an Lok Sabha MP, passed away in 1979, necessitating by-elections. During the preparation of electoral rolls, it was noticed that the number of electorate had undergone a significant increase, prompting rumors of illegal inflows into the region. Newspapers like Dainik Asom reported on this issue, and the then Chief Election Officer, S. L. Shakdher, acknowledged the problem in 1978.

The assertion that the population had increased by 36.3 percent in just a decade raised alarm bells among the indigenous population, leading to a popular consensus to address the issue. This consensus evolved into a movement spearheaded by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), culminating in a 12-hour general strike on June 1, 1979. By August 26, 1979, various political and cultural organizations united to form the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) or the Committee for the Assam People's Struggle, which would define the movement for the next few years.

Major Events and their Impact

The initial phase of the movement was marked by various forms of protest, including wall writings, dharnas, picketing, and satyagraha. A mass oath-taking ceremony was organized, with 18 lacs of people vowing to continue the struggle until illegal immigrants were expelled. People refused to participate in the 1979 general elections, leading to 12 of 14 constituencies remaining vacant. Crude oil from the upper Assam oil fields was also denied to the rest of India through the formation of human chains. The rigid stance of the agitators and the resulting economic blockades prompted the central government to imposition of President's rule, which lasted a year, from December 1979 to December 1980.

The Nellie Massacre of 1983 was a particularly shocking incident where indigenous villagers, led by the Lalung and some Assamese, attacked Bengali-Muslim women and children, leading to official reports of over 2000 casualties. This tragic event marked a significant shift in the movement's dynamics, as people gradually moved away from it due to its violent nature and the communal and pro-Hindu angle that crept into the movement. The assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 further complicated the situation, leading to the formation of a new government under Rajiv Gandhi.

The Assam Accord and its Aftermath

On August 15, 1985, the Assam Accord was signed, marking a significant phase in the movement. The accord set 1 January 1966 as the base year for identifying illegal immigrants and 24 March 1971 as the cutoff date for the removal of names from electoral rolls. However, the implementation of these clauses remains a point of contention, with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) serving as the latest hope for the people of Assam to achieve the objectives of the agitation.

Political Impact and Long-term Consequences

The Assam Agitation led to the formation of the Assam Gana Parishad (AGP), which emerged victorious in the 1985 elections and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta became the Chief Minister, the youngest in the country at the time. The movement also had profound implications for community and identity politics in Assam. It highlighted the oppression of the native Bodo community and led to demands for Bodoland in the region. Additionally, the Assam Accord's poorly implemented terms have resulted in ongoing disputes and social tensions. The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) emerged in the wake of the Agitation, advocating for the secession of Assam from India and the expulsion of non-Assamese people.

To this day, the Assam Accord remains the subject of ongoing debate and criticism. The lack of full implementation of its terms and the unresolved issues associated with the movement underscore the complexity of addressing such socio-political challenges.