In this episode of The Opine, we dissect the recent Supreme Court judgment on citizenship, which has significantly impacted the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration in Assam and India.
For over five decades, Bangladeshi immigration has been a contentious issue in Assam. The indigenous population believes millions have migrated illegally, while others argue that migration ceased in 1971, with the Assam Accord accepting these migrants. Despite this, many still face harassment and legal battles over their citizenship.
The Supreme Court, in a judgment by Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, now states that authorities cannot arrest or charge someone on mere suspicion of being Bangladeshi without proper evidence. This is a game changer, as Assam's border police have long sent notices to suspected Bangladeshis, forcing them into lifelong court battles. Currently, nearly 100,000 people face trial before Foreigners Tribunals, and another 1.9 million are excluded from Aadhar due to their NRC status.