Syeda Hameed Says Bangladeshis Can Live In Assam, Cites Allah Made Earth For Humans
Remark triggers political storm; CM Himanta Biswa Sarma slams ‘propaganda’, Congress distances from comment but opposes eviction
A major political storm has erupted in Assam after activist and former Planning Commission member Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, during a recent visit to the state, justified the right of Bangladeshis to live in India.
Part of a delegation of eminent personalities, including Harsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Fayaz Shaheen, Prashant Bhushan, and Jawahar Sircar, Hameed was in the state at the invitation of Asom Nagarik Sanmilan, a local civil society forum. Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan helped organise the visit.
Speaking to reporters after visiting eviction-hit areas, Hameed said, “What is wrong in being Bangladeshi? Bangladeshis are also human beings; the Earth is very big, even Bangladeshis can live here… Allah has made this Earth for humans, not for Satan. Why should a human being be thrown out so mercilessly?” She accused the Assam government of committing “inhuman acts” against minority communities during eviction drives.
Her remarks triggered a sharp backlash. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the delegation of “spreading propaganda” to undermine lawful evictions. “This is a planned attempt to weaken our fight against illegal encroachers. We are firm—no propaganda will stop us from protecting our land and culture,” he asserted.
The Congress, which has opposed eviction drives but demanded rehabilitation, distanced itself from Hameed’s remarks. The regional Asom Gana Parishad also condemned her comments, with general secretary Tolan Konwar saying, “She doesn’t understand Assam’s history or the Assam Agitation. How dare she say Assam can’t survive without Bangladeshis?”
Student bodies, including the All Assam Students Union, strongly opposed Hameed’s stance, warning organisers against “justifying the presence of foreigners.”
Hameed, however, maintained that the government was unfairly labelling Muslims as Bangladeshis and said portraying them as a threat was “mischievous and detrimental to humanity.”
The delegation claimed their visit was to understand ground realities, but alleged that they were restricted from entering Goalpara district, where recent evictions took place.
