The Crossbill News Desk
The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has lodged multiple police complaints against former Planning Commission member and activist Syeda Hameed, accusing her of making “anti-Assam and communal statements” during a recent visit to the state.
According to AJP spokesperson Juyaur Rahman, “FIRs have been registered against Syeda Hameed in 16 districts of Assam. We are demanding her arrest for her anti-Assam and communal statements.”
However, reports indicate that these are police complaints at present and not FIRs, contrary to Rahman’s claim.
Hameed was part of a civil society delegation that visited Assam on August 23 to review the government’s recent eviction drive in Goalpara’s Borduar area, where land has been earmarked for a proposed township. The team also included activist Harsh Mander, former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, and former Trinamool Congress MP Jawahar Sircar. A day later, the group addressed a public meeting organised by the Assam Nagarik Sammilan (ANS), chaired by Independent Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan.
Following Hameed’s remarks at the meeting, the ANS issued a clarification distancing itself from her comments, stressing that they were her “personal opinion.”
In a joint statement, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan and Paresh Malakar reiterated the organisation’s position: “Our position on foreigners is absolutely clear. The Assam Accord is sacred. We demand the deportation of all who entered Assam after March 25, 1971, irrespective of religion. We also call for immediate implementation of the high-powered committee’s report on Clause 6 to safeguard the identity and rights of the Assamese and other indigenous communities.”
The controversy has drawn sharp political reactions. The Assam BJP condemned Hameed’s remarks, stating she should “accommodate Bangladeshis in her own home.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused her of legitimising infiltrators but said his government would not file an FIR, arguing she could use it “to collect contributions.”
He added, however, that “she will be handled with due respect but in accordance with the law” if she returned to Assam.
AJP leaders have taken a hard line against Hameed. Party president Lurinjyoti Gogoi described her statement as “completely unacceptable,” insisting, “Foreigners must be identified and deported. Assam is not a grazing ground for foreigners, nor will we bear their burden.”
AJP general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan also demanded her arrest, saying, “The government must act immediately to arrest Syeda Hameed for her divisive remarks. Otherwise, it will be clear that she is speaking on behalf of the chief minister.”
The AJP’s district committees have alleged in their complaints that Hameed’s comments “hurt the sentiments of the people of Assam, attempted to destroy communal harmony, and tried to provoke conflict between communities.”
The controversy continues to escalate as political parties debate the implications of her remarks against the backdrop of Assam’s sensitive migration and identity issues.
According to AJP spokesperson Juyaur Rahman, “FIRs have been registered against Syeda Hameed in 16 districts of Assam. We are demanding her arrest for her anti-Assam and communal statements.”
However, reports indicate that these are police complaints at present and not FIRs, contrary to Rahman’s claim.
Hameed was part of a civil society delegation that visited Assam on August 23 to review the government’s recent eviction drive in Goalpara’s Borduar area, where land has been earmarked for a proposed township. The team also included activist Harsh Mander, former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, and former Trinamool Congress MP Jawahar Sircar. A day later, the group addressed a public meeting organised by the Assam Nagarik Sammilan (ANS), chaired by Independent Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan.
Following Hameed’s remarks at the meeting, the ANS issued a clarification distancing itself from her comments, stressing that they were her “personal opinion.”
In a joint statement, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan and Paresh Malakar reiterated the organisation’s position: “Our position on foreigners is absolutely clear. The Assam Accord is sacred. We demand the deportation of all who entered Assam after March 25, 1971, irrespective of religion. We also call for immediate implementation of the high-powered committee’s report on Clause 6 to safeguard the identity and rights of the Assamese and other indigenous communities.”
The controversy has drawn sharp political reactions. The Assam BJP condemned Hameed’s remarks, stating she should “accommodate Bangladeshis in her own home.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused her of legitimising infiltrators but said his government would not file an FIR, arguing she could use it “to collect contributions.”
He added, however, that “she will be handled with due respect but in accordance with the law” if she returned to Assam.
AJP leaders have taken a hard line against Hameed. Party president Lurinjyoti Gogoi described her statement as “completely unacceptable,” insisting, “Foreigners must be identified and deported. Assam is not a grazing ground for foreigners, nor will we bear their burden.”
AJP general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan also demanded her arrest, saying, “The government must act immediately to arrest Syeda Hameed for her divisive remarks. Otherwise, it will be clear that she is speaking on behalf of the chief minister.”
The AJP’s district committees have alleged in their complaints that Hameed’s comments “hurt the sentiments of the people of Assam, attempted to destroy communal harmony, and tried to provoke conflict between communities.”
The controversy continues to escalate as political parties debate the implications of her remarks against the backdrop of Assam’s sensitive migration and identity issues.
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