Forging the Assam Linguistic Conflict: Unveiling Environmental Catalysts Beyond Linguistic Paradigms

Written By Kamrul Hoque ( Masters Student at Azim Premji University)

Introduction: Assam, a state known for its cultural and linguistic diversity, has long been a cauldron of rich heritage and identity. It houses a myriad of linguistic communities, each characterized by its unique cultural traditions and languages. This diversity, though a source of cultural richness, has also been the epicenter of tensions and conflicts, where language often acts as a potent emblem of identity and a catalyst for political discord. The Linguistic Conflict, transcends linguistic diversity and cultural differences, encompassing a complex web of historical grievances, political demands, and environmental dynamics. This blog article provides a holistic understanding of its History, causes, and contemporary implications, with a particular focus on environmental dimensions as one of its underlying causes which for long has remained due to the incorporation into the mainstream causation of the conflict. The conflict is deeply intertwined with the colonial legacy. During the British colonial administration( since the incorporation of Assam into British territories, Bengali was imposed as the official language in Assam, a move that greatly stirred resentment among the Assamese-speaking population. This imposition not only underscored the intricate interplay between language and power but also left an indelible mark on the region’s linguistic identity and cultural fabric. In the contemporary context, the Assam Linguistic Conflict continues to have a profound impact on the region. Political struggles are closely intertwined with linguistic lines, and ethnic clashes occasionally escalate into violence, leading to displacement and upheaval. Moreover, one of the unique aspects that this research paper will delve into is the environmental dimension of the conflict, which, although often overlooked, is a significant underlying cause. This includes land disputes, development projects in India and displacement in Bangladesh, and subsequent immigration in Assam, resource scarcity, and ecological concerns which play a critical role in exacerbating the conflict. These multiple issues will be toured in this article.

Historical overview of the conflict: The Conflict in Assam has basically traversed distinct historical stages, with the colonial and post-colonial periods serving as defining epochs in its evolution. During the colonial period, Assam underwent significant linguistic, political and cultural transformations that laid the foundation for the linguistic conflict. British had made their control over the Assam in 1826 after the Burmese war. And then on, Bengali was imposed as the official language in Assam with some interludes, without considering the concern of the majority of the Assamese population. The colonial government had encouraged the migration of Bangalis, particularly peasants, to Assam and this had marked the impact on the demographic composition of the province. This decision sparked deep-seated resentment among the local populace, as it underscored the British disregard for Assamese linguistic and cultural heritage. The imposition of Bengali served as a catalyst, initiating the early stages of the Assam Linguistic Conflict. It compelled the Assamese-speaking community to assert their cultural and linguistic identity, marking the beginnings of the Assamese linguistic movement. With the announcement of the Independence of India, Assam got Separated as per the demarcation of the Radcliff line and the state has witnessed the immigration of Bangali Hindus as a result of partition. By the time, Assamese Hindus had already started political noise against the influx of Bangalis into the Assam, considering the fear of marginalization and becoming minority. However, as a bordering state, immigration remained constant at several intervals, and this suddenly bloomed in the 1970s with the occurrence of the Indo — Pakistan war. The year singularly witnessed the rise of 79% of illegal immigrants. The sudden large influx of illegal immigrants resulted in the form of Assam agitation in the1980s, demanding the identification and deportation of illegal foreigners. The much heated noise was on the basis of linguistic superiority, as Assamese see the immigration as threat to their socio-political and cultural life. And this they might lose the political disposition in Assam politics, with the rising Bangali population percentage. Interestingly, the Assamese Muslims as well as the Bangali Muslims had aliened themselves with the Assamese Hindus as they see it as their political asylum, which only could save them from the tag of illegal foreigners. The Mass protest, which spanned from 1979 to 1985, was led by the All Assam students’ Union ( AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) which later became AGP. It has multifaceted objectives, notably demanding the expulsion of illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh, and the establishment of Assamese as the official language. The Assam Agitation emerged as watershed moment, thrusting linguistic and cultural issues into the forefront of Indian Politics. The conflict’s intensity and the demand for the recognition of Assamese as the state’s language were emblematic of the linguistic and cultural tensions that had simmered for decades. The Assam Agitation eventually led to the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985, a landmark agreement aimed at addressing the concerns raised during the agitation. The accord resulted in the establishment of autonomous regions such as BTAD and Karbi-Anglong autonomous council, designed to provide self-governance to specific ethnic groups. While the Assam Accord marked a significant development, it did not entirely quell the linguistic and cultural tensions within the state.

Mainstream Causation of the Conflict: The conflict in Assam historically being created with the immigration of Bangali people mostly from East and West Bengal of British dominion. British Government had encouraged and eased immigration for multiple purposes which benefits the British administrative feasibility, encouraging agricultural labors as well as the educated political bourgeoises to migrate into the Assam.

Cultural and linguistic: The Language and cultural realm stands as a pivotal and defining aspect of the Assam Linguistic Conflict, illuminating the multifaceted interplay of language, identity, and cultural preservation in the state of Assam. This involves a profound exploration of linguistic identity, where the Assamese-speaking community, historically constituting a majority in the state (with Assamese population consisting 60% in 1970( census India 1971)], fervently seeks the official recognition and safeguarding of the Assamese language as an integral component of their cultural heritage. Conversely, the Bengali-speaking communities in Assam resist any attempt to replace Bengali as the official language, as they view it as intrinsic to their own cultural identity. Language politics is one of the most crucial facets. The political parties in the state often aligning themselves along linguistic lines to amass support. Linguistic preferences wield significant influence on electoral dynamics, making language a potent tool in the pursuit of power and representation. This is much evident from the establishment of the AGP( Assam Gana Parishad) which formed of from the mass student mobilization of AASU ( All Assam Students Union). Historical grievances related to language have spurred movements such as the Assam Agitation, advocating for Assamese as the state’s official language while simultaneously demanding the expulsion of perceived threats to Assamese linguistic and cultural identity, such as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. According to a report prepared by the Union home Ministry in 1992, the estimated figures of infiltration in Assam between 1971 to 1992 are about 22 to 30 lakhs ( Sarkar.T 2010). Both linguistic communities, Assamese and Bengali, have engaged in concerted efforts for the preservation and promotion of their respective languages, encompassing literary, educational, and cultural initiatives to ensure the continuity of their languages and assert their unique cultural identities. There are also demands centered around language, extending beyond Assamese and Bengali, including the protection and promotion of indigenous languages spoken by various ethnic groups in Assam. These demands often ignite struggles over language policies and the recognition and support of indigenous languages. In sum, Linguistic and cultural causation intertwined with other facets of the Conflict and forms a complex and deeply rooted issue with far-reaching implications for the socio-political landscape of Assam.

Religious : The vary nature of the immigration of consisting most of them from Muslim community constitutes a critical facet of the Conflict, unraveling the intricate interplay of religion, identity, and communal tensions in the state of Assam. Religious identity assumes a central role as Hinduism and Islam, being the predominant religions, deeply influence the identities of various communities. Hindus in 1941 constitutes more than 80% and Muslims almost 25%. The Hindu majority seeks to protect its religious traditions and cultural heritage, while the Muslim minority aspires to safeguard its religious rights and cultural practices. This religious division extends to the realm of politics, where political parties often utilize religious affiliations as a means to mobilize support, sometimes at the expense of religious harmony. The political landscape in Assam is significantly entwined with religious considerations, rendering religious preferences a key factor in electoral strategies. The political campaigns many a times are inwards to religious line and immigration solely purported into a Muslim infiltration without the factual correctness which later been evident from the NRC draft publication in 2017. Historical grievances related to religion have led to movements and agitations. For instance, the Assam Accord addressed the concerns of linguistic and religious minorities, encompassing Assamese-speaking Hindus and Bengali-speaking Muslims. These movements are emblematic of the complex interplay between religion and identity within the conflict. Furthermore, the religious dimension involves a deliberate effort by various religious communities to preserve and promote their religious practices, involving temples, mosques, religious institutions, and cultural celebrations that serve as vehicles for preserving their religious heritage and asserting their unique religious identities. This also includes the dynamics between different religious communities, particularly between Hindus and Muslims in Assam, which can either be a source of tension or a catalyst for social cohesion.

Unveiling Environmental degradation as a cause of the conflict: The Conflict in Assam is intrinsically linked to resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and migration. It’s essential to draw on a general understanding of how these dynamics operate within the context of Assam and its neighboring regions. Particularly as the fueling factor of the conflict in Assam. Since India’s independence, development has been a pivotal goal of the nation. As part of larger goal development and growth, India has introduced construction of big dams and hydroelectric projects on various rivers, including the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries along with Farakkha dam in West Bengal with the help of the USSR, the World Bank, and the USAs. while these projects are often introduced with the intent to harness the region’s water resources for energy generation and irrigation, they bring about severe ecological and environmental consequences, operating within the context of Assam and its neighboring regions. Bangladesh which is largely dependent on the inbound water flow of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra faces staggering ecological damage in agricultural and industrial productions due to the construction of dams and other developmental activities in India. This happens because of the control of the water flow and reduced upstream water flow during the dry session. Consequently Bangladesh not only faces agricultural downfall, but also people dependent on the river flow lost their jobs and livelihoods. In a report of Joint River Commission of India-Bangladesh has calculated that the consolidated financial losses of Bangladesh due to Farakka withdrawal from 1976 to 1993 amount 113,240 million takas (nearly USD 3 billion) in accordance with the 1991 price index . The loss of fishing, farming closure of industries and navigation facilities due to drying up of rivers forces locals to wonder for new opportunities for livelihoods. In a recent report by the Far Eastern Economic Review (15 December 1983) indirectly referred to the south-western part of Bangladesh as the major source of illegal migrants into India. The scarcity of resources and environmental degradation are pressing concerns. The migrants coming to Assam are mostly associated and engaged themselves with local activities and primarily in agriculture. Of these people, they settle in Rural areas mostly. In 1961 , about 3/4th of the total migrants settled in Rural Assam but in 1971, came down to 2/3rd, according to S. Gupta. This rural settlement of migrants has resulted in an excessive availability of labor force in the already staggering rural labor markets. They demand law wages compared to locals and this results into the form of dissatisfaction and resentment among the locals towards the immigrants. This is that, the locals lost their job opportunities to the law cost wage workers. Deforestation, soil erosion, and over-exploitation of natural resources have collectively led to an environmental crisis in the region consequently becoming a fueling factor in already heightened linguistic conflict. This environmental stress has created a situation in which different linguistic and ethnic communities compete for the same diminishing resources, amplifying tensions and conflicts. It has become more complex when we consider the phenomenon of forced migration from Bangladesh to Assam. The forced migration mostly inwards towards the state of Assam and other parts of India like the state of West Bengal. However, since West Bengal is Bengali dominated state; the migrants get safe space for the livelihood which seems not to be same in case of Assam. It adds another layer to the existing linguistic and ethnic tensions, as it further strains resources, raises concerns about cultural and linguistic assimilation, and challenges the ability of host communities in Assam to accommodate the influx of migrants. Resource-based conflicts is pervasive with various communities in Assam and North East competing for access to arable land, water sources, and forest resources. These conflicts often escalate and become intertwined with linguistic tensions, as different linguistic groups perceive one another as threats to their access to these essential resources. The competition for resources, work and livelihood source intensifies and complicates the Assam Conflict, creating a tangled web of linguistic, ethnic, and environmental issues that shape the social and political landscape of the region.

Current posits of the Conflict: The Conflict continues to be a complex and evolving issue, with various dimensions, including linguistic, ethnic, and environmental, shaping its dynamics. In recent years, the conflict has exhibited a degree of fluidity, marked by both progress and persisting challenges. It remains intertwined with issues of resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and the consequences of large-scale development projects. Dams and hydroelectric initiatives on the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries continue to be points of contention. While these projects aim to meet energy and irrigation needs, they raise concerns about habitat disruption, declining fish stocks, and broader ecosystem alterations, directly affecting the livelihoods of communities reliant on fishing. These environmental impacts exacerbate pre-existing resource-based conflicts and complicate efforts for environmental sustainability. The forced migration from Bangladesh to Assam remains a pressing issue, often driven by environmental factors such as river erosion, sea-level rise, and resource scarcity. This influx of migrants places additional strains on Assam’s resources and further challenges the ability of host communities to provide for their own and the newcomers.

Conclusion: The conflict posed a multifaceted challenge deeply entrenched in the cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and environmental landscape of the region. While there have been efforts to address linguistic and ethnic concerns, the environmental dimension continues to complicate the conflict, impacting resource scarcity, habitat disruption, and forced migration. To achieve lasting peace and harmony, a comprehensive approach is needed — one that prioritizes sustainable resource management, cooperative development projects, and inclusive policies that respect the diverse linguistic and ethnic identities of Assam’s communities while fostering environmental preservation, maintaining the peace in cross border. As the situation evolves, it underscores the ongoing importance of addressing these complex interconnections for a more peaceful and sustainable future in the region.