Question

Briefly discuss the reasons for Assam’s demand for greater autonomy for the state.

Answer 1

Reasons for Assam’s agitation for greater autonomy for the state:

1. The North East was aggrieved due to unfair. treatment by the center, e.g. evident in neglect of industries/lack of economic enterprises and / even in the allocation of funds. 

2. It was deprived of its revenue from crude oil, tea and plywood./Assam’s revenue was pumped out of the state.

3. Marwaris and Bengalis were controlling Assam’s economy.

4. Labour forces were also largely non- Assamese, contributing to unemployment among Assamese youth.

5. There was a demand for better connectivity between the North East and the rest of India e.g. Bridges over Brahmaputra/ railway up-gradation / better road links.

6. Even before independence, there had been a large scale migration from Bihar and Bengal into Assam.

7. From 1971 onward, refugees poured in from Bangladesh (East Pakistan).

8. Most returned back after the creation of Bangladesh but almost a lakh stayed behind.

9. Peasant influx continued in search of land, triggering fear of land-loss among Assamese peasants.

10. Demographic changes had generated cultural, linguistic and political insecurity.

11. To face the challenge of illegal migration from Bangladesh, in 1979 All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (Assamese Peoples Struggle) were organized.

12. In 1983, election to State’s Legislature Assembly was organized.

13. It was marked by large scale violence.

14. 98% of eligible Assamese voters had boycotted.

15. Congress, however, formed the government.

16. By-elections showed an increase in the number of voters.

17. Identification of non-Assamese by the Central Government demanded by the people.