In a powerful showing of solidarity, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) held an 11-hour hunger strike across Assam on Thursday. The protest aimed to raise awareness about what they call “systematic demographic changes” that threaten the identity and future of indigenous communities in the state.
The protest started early in the morning at 6 a.m. and took place simultaneously at all district headquarters. The main sit-in was held at Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, drawing students and locals from all over Assam.
AASU leaders made it clear that they are against the Centre’s latest immigration rules. They emphasized that Assam will not accept any division or classification of foreigners based on religion. The protest focused on four main demands: the removal of illegal immigrants regardless of their religion, full implementation of the Assam Accord, sealing Assam’s international borders, and exemption from the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Utpal Sharma, a key leader of the protest, criticized the government for using its numerical strength to ignore indigenous voices. He said, “Whether Hindu or Muslim, foreigners have no place in Assam. The Centre must stop demographic pressure from increasing.”
Sharma also questioned the recent recognition of five youths, who lost their lives during protests against the CAA, as martyrs. “Were their sacrifices meant to give legitimacy to granting citizenship to foreigners?” he asked.
The students also pointed out the unfairness in immigration policies. While some parts of the Northeast, including four states and eight districts in Assam, enjoy exemptions from certain laws, other parts of Assam continue to suffer due to unchecked migration.
AASU reaffirmed its fierce opposition to the CAA and similar laws. They demanded that the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, should be scrapped in Assam. The group believes the state needs a special immigration policy that fits its unique border and demographic realities.
The hunger strike comes at a time of rising political tension over immigration issues. AASU warned that if the concerns of indigenous communities are ignored, it could lead to more protests and unrest in Assam.
This protest highlights the ongoing debate over immigration, identity, and policies that directly impact the people of Assam. The organization promises to continue fighting to protect Assam’s cultural and demographic integrity.
