India: Muslim Body Declares Assam’s Mass Eviction Drive Inhumane, Unconstitutional

India: Muslim Body Declares Assam’s Mass Eviction Drive Inhumane, Unconstitutional
—————————————–
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has accused the BJP government of Assam, led by Hemanta Biswa Sarma, of targeting Muslim communities through eviction drives under the guise of forest conservation, India Clarion reported. At a press conference in Hatigaon, AIUDF legislators Rafiqul Islam, Aminul Islam, and Ashraful Hussain condemned the ongoing evictions in Muslim-majority areas such as Goalpara, Dhubri, and Kachutoli as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Rafiqul Islam, AIUDF general secretary, alleged that the government is evicting long-term residents who have paid land revenue for decades, often ignoring court orders and conducting evictions during judicial vacations. He claimed many evicted areas are not forest land but were arbitrarily classified as such to justify the removals. Islam accused the government of favoring corporate interests, suggesting the drives aim to clear land for companies like Adani and Ambani, while neglecting displaced families.

Ashraful Hussain criticized the administration for failing to provide basic humanitarian aid to those displaced, calling the government’s actions “cruel and thoughtless.” The AIUDF leaders warned that these evictions are part of a strategy to intimidate Muslim communities ahead of the 2026 elections and urged judicial and human rights intervention to halt the evictions.

The AIUDF demands the government allocate at least seven bighas of land to each displaced family, reflecting earlier promises made by the chief minister.