Thread by @EqualsProject

With the current question on the constitutional validity of sec 6A of the Citizenship Act in the #SupremeCourt. We thought we would put out a brief explainer on the #AssamAccord
#Thread

On 15th August 1985, the Indian Government and the leaders of the Assam movement signed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS), the Assam Accord, in the presence of the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. (1/n)

The signing of the Accord led to the end of a violent six-year agitation, the Assam movement led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants. (2/n)

Historically, Assam saw an influx of migrants. Particularly due to British policies, Partition and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. large number of Bengalis settled in the state. This led to resistance from the Assamese community leading to the Assam movement. (3/n)

So, what was agreed upon in the Accord?

At its core was the “Foreigners Issue” - Clause 5, and “Safeguards and Economic Development” - Clauses 6 and 7.

Clause 5 set the dates to identity who is an illegal immigrant and who is not. (4/n)

Clause 6 of the Accord mentioned steps will be taken to "protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people". (5/n)

The Accord also stated the "erection of physical barriers like walls, barbed wire fencing and other obstacles at appropriate places" at international borders to prevent further illegal migration. (6/n)

It also mentioned patrolling by the security forces on the land and river routes across the border of India and Bangladesh. (7/n)

The popular narrative of Assam being overtaken by its immigrants takes away the historical context of human movements in the border state which present a more complex reality. (8/n)

In 'Contested Nation' - 'Citizenship 2: Assam and Electoral Roll' the history of migration in Assam, what led to it and analyse the Assam movement and the reasons for it. You can listen to it here:

sunoindia.in/contested-nati…

bit.ly/contestednation (n/n)