Language Cannot Decide Nationality, Says Sushmita Dev Amid Assam Evictions

Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Assam government, accusing it of using eviction drives as a political tool to instill fear and deepen communal divides ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in Hailakandi, Dev alleged that the ruling BJP is deliberately targeting linguistic minorities under the guise of anti-encroachment operations. “The BJP knows that its defeat in the 2026 elections is inevitable. Out of fear, they have now resorted to targeting ordinary citizens through forced evictions,” she said.

Raising concerns over the recent eviction drive in Assam, Dev questioned the state government’s approach of associating language with nationality. “I want to ask the Chief Minister—does speaking Bengali make someone Bangladeshi? How can language determine who is an Indian and who is not? Bengali has existed in Assam since before Independence and continues to be spoken by many,” she asserted.

Dev also hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, recalling his past assurance of deporting illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from Assam. “That promise has remained unfulfilled. Instead, people who have been living on their own land for 30 to 40 years are now being evicted overnight,” she said. “Ironically, the Chief Minister now brands them as Bangladeshis while simultaneously offering them land again. This is a clear sign of a confused and opportunistic administration.”

According to Dev, the BJP’s twin motives behind the ongoing eviction drives are rooted in its “communal mindset” and “anxiety over losing power.” She alleged that the party is trying to polarize voters by sowing seeds of mistrust and division along linguistic and religious lines.

“These are not just administrative actions—they are calculated moves to divide communities before elections and gain political mileage,” she said.

Dev’s remarks come amid rising tension in parts of lower Assam, where eviction notices have led to protests among local residents, many of whom claim to have valid land documents and decades-long residency.

She also urged the state government to stop targeting marginalized communities and instead focus on inclusive governance. “This government must remember it was elected to serve all citizens, not just a select few. Weaponizing eviction as a political strategy is unacceptable,” Dev added.

The TMC leader’s sharp criticism has added to the growing political discourse in the state, with opposition parties increasingly questioning the BJP's intentions behind the frequent eviction drives.

Also Read: Contempt Petition Filed in Supreme Court Over Evictions in Goalpara