Syeda Hameed stated that Bangladeshis can also live in India. Union Minister Rijiju targeted her. Debate on illegal settlements and land disputes in Assam intensifies, triggering a fierce political battle between Congress and BJP.
New Delhi: Syeda Hameed, a close aide of Sonia Gandhi and former member of the Planning Commission, recently stated in Assam that Bangladeshis are also human beings and have the right to live in India. Her statement reflects her experiences and humanitarian perspective during the tenure of the Manmohan Singh government.
Hameed said that the world is vast and Bangladeshis can also live in India. She argued that it is not right to violate anyone's rights, and she made this statement in the context of the Assam government's initiative to remove illegal settlements.
Reaction of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju targeted Syeda Hameed for this statement. Rijiju said that people are being misled in the name of humanity. He clarified that it is a question of our land and identity. Rijiju asked why minorities like Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs are being persecuted in Bangladesh and Pakistan. According to him, supporting illegal immigrants is not in India's interest.
Assam Government's Action
The Assam government recently initiated the process of removing those who had illegally settled on government land. Following this action, Syeda Hameed said that Muslims are being wrongly targeted by being labeled as Bangladeshis. She was accompanied by activists like Prashant Bhushan and Harsh Mander, who criticized the state government's policies.
Bhushan alleged that the Assam government is sending citizens to Bangladesh and illegally demolishing houses. He termed it a 'loot' being carried out by the state and said that the government is trying to hide this process from public scrutiny.
What did Syeda Hameed say?
Syeda Hameed clearly stated that what is wrong if someone is Bangladeshi. She believes that Bangladeshis are also human beings, and it would be controversial to take away their right to live in India. She said that the world is so big that Bangladeshis can live in India.
Reaction of the Chief Minister of Assam
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended his government in this matter. He said that the criticism from Congress and other intellectuals could weaken the stability of the state. Sarma also clarified that his government's policies are in the interest of the state and local communities.
Allegation of Handing Over to Private Companies
The Assam government was accused of handing over tribal and agricultural land to private companies like the Adani Group. Prashant Bhushan described this as a strategy to benefit big capitalists at the expense of local communities. He also said that the state government is trying to prevent independent evaluation.
