GUWAHATI: The Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, September 5. Accused opposition parties of running a campaign of misinformation regarding the Centre’s latest directive on immigrant foreigners. The party clarified that the notification should not be mistaken as an extension of the eligibility deadline for Indian citizenship.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, BJP spokespersons said opposition leaders were intentionally creating confusion to “stoke fear and unrest” among communities in the state. The clarification comes days after the Centre’s order sparked debate over the interpretation of citizenship rules and eligibility criteria for immigrants.
BJP Clarifies Centre’s Directive
Party leaders stated that the directive was administrative in nature, designed to streamline processing of applications under existing laws. They emphasized that the BJP-led government remains firm on its stand against illegal immigration in Assam.
“The opposition is spreading lies that the Centre has extended the cut-off date for citizenship. This is false and politically motivated,” said a senior Assam BJP leader. “Our government remains committed to protecting the cultural identity of Assam and upholding the provisions of the Assam Accord.”
The Centre’s directive, issued last week, focused on procedural guidelines for processing long-pending applications for citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955. However, several opposition leaders accused the BJP of attempting to relax citizenship norms in the state, sparking protests in certain districts.
Opposition Raises Concerns
The Congress, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), and other regional parties have criticized the directive, arguing that it undermines the Assam Accord of 1985, which set March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for detecting and deporting illegal immigrants.
Congress leaders accused the BJP of “secretly pushing its agenda” through administrative orders rather than parliamentary debate. AJP leaders claimed the order would pave the way for further demographic changes in border districts.
Regional student organizations also held demonstrations in Guwahati and Barpeta, demanding clarity from the state government.
BJP Counters Political Attacks
Rejecting the allegations, BJP spokespersons said the opposition was resorting to “fear-mongering” to revive its dwindling influence in Assam. They stressed that the directive does not alter constitutional provisions or legal frameworks for granting citizenship.
“The misinformation campaign is a deliberate attempt to polarize the people of Assam. The BJP is working to secure the state’s borders and identity,” said the party’s media cell.
The Assam BJP also highlighted initiatives taken by the Centre to curb illegal migration, including advanced border surveillance, fencing, and updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
NRC and Citizenship Debate Resurface
The controversy has once again drawn attention to the NRC process in Assam, completed in 2019. Over 19 lakh people were excluded from the list, triggering widespread debate over citizenship verification, appeals, and documentation.
The recent directive has reignited public discussion on whether the BJP government plans to make amendments to address pending citizenship claims. Civil society organizations have called for greater transparency in policy decisions to avoid confusion.
Government’s Stance on Illegal Immigration
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly assured that the BJP government will not compromise on the state’s demographic security. He emphasized that the Centre’s move is intended to address administrative backlogs and not change the 1971 cut-off date.
The Chief Minister has also urged citizens not to fall for “false propaganda” and stated that the government’s top priority remains the protection of Assam’s culture, heritage, and indigenous communities.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
Public response to the controversy has been mixed. While some citizens voiced concern over possible policy shifts, others expressed support for the government’s assurance. “The government should issue a detailed clarification to remove doubts,” said a resident of Barpeta.
Activists and political analysts believe the issue will remain a major topic of debate in the run-up to the next Assembly elections. They have urged the government to release a comprehensive statement to maintain public trust.
Call for Clarity and Dialogue
With tensions simmering, political observers say that greater dialogue between the government and opposition is crucial to addressing Assam’s long-standing immigration challenges.
As the BJP faces criticism, party leaders have called on citizens to verify information through official notifications. However, rather than relying on speculation. The Centre is expected to release an explanatory note on the directive in the coming weeks.
