Assam CM flags 'land jihad' after PM Modi raises ‘demography conspiracy’ from Red Fort

File photo of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on a ‘demography conspiracy’ during his Red Fort address, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on what he termed ‘land jihad’ in his Independence Day speech in Guwahati.

Himanta warned that if the Assamese people compromise, “80% of ministers will be from ‘them’ in 15 years.” He highlighted the latest delimitation exercise, saying it has helped secure Assam for indigenous people for decades.

The Chief Minister accused certain groups of attempting to alter Assam’s demography and stated that his government’s eviction drives send a clear message of non-compromise. Drawing a parallel with ‘love jihad,’ he added that “now a section is trying to threaten Assamese identity by indulging in ‘land jihad.’”

Earlier this month, the Assam government, which shares a border with Muslim-majority Bangladesh, announced plans to issue gun licences exclusively to “indigenous” residents.

Assam was the first state in India to implement the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019, a process aimed at verifying citizenship.

Tensions in the region have risen in recent months, particularly following the fall of Bangladesh’s former authoritarian regime — once an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP — heightening concerns in Assam’s border districts. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that recent developments in Bangladesh have left indigenous communities feeling increasingly insecure.

The gun licence portal is expected to go live later this month. Its launch comes amid reports of vigilante activity, particularly by the group Bir Lachit Sena, which has reportedly issued threats to Bengali-speaking Muslims in Upper Assam, including a recent call for “all Bangladeshis to leave within seven days.”