New Delhi: A major political row has erupted over former Planning Commission member Sayeda Hameed’s comments regarding illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants in India.
Hameed, who is on a visit to Assam with other activists, said on Sunday that there is nothing wrong if Bangladeshis stay in India as they are human beings and the Earth is so large.
Among those who reacted was Union minister Kiren Rijiju, who called the remarks ‘misleading’.
“Misleading in the name of humanity. It’s about our land and identity. Why are minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs persecuted in Bangladesh and Pakistan? Sayeda Hameed may be close to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi but shouldn’t support illegal migrants,” Rijiju said.
Hameed was a member of the Planning Commission during the tenure of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister. Her remarks came against the backdrop of the Assam government’s initiatives to remove illegal settlers from government lands.
Accompanied by activists such as Prashant Bhushan and Harsh Mandar, Hameed accused the state government of unfairly targeting Muslims by labelling them as Bangladeshis. “What is wrong if they are Bangladeshis? Bangladeshis are also humans. Earth is so large, Bangladeshis can live here. Not depriving anyone’s rights,” she had said.
Bhushan criticised Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of engaging in “lawless and illegal activities.” Bhushan alleged that the state government was pushing citizens to Bangladesh and demolishing homes illegally. He described the situation as a “complete loot” by the state government, which he claims is attempting to conceal these activities from public scrutiny.
Sarma has defended his government’s actions, suggesting that the involvement of Congress and other intellectuals in the issue could weaken the state’s stability. The Assam government is making efforts to clear illegally occupied forest land.
Bhushan claimed that the team was not allowed to visit Goalpara where eviction has taken place. The Assam government has been accused of handing over agriculturally productive tribal lands to private companies, including the Adani Group. Bhushan claimed they were part of a broader strategy to benefit select corporations at the expense of local communities. He also criticised attempts to prevent independent assessments of the state’s activities.