Introduction:

• The Axom Andolan or Assam Agitation was a mass movement that started primarily in 1979 even though the stage was set much earlier. It was revolution of the indigenous people of the state to protect their rights, their homeland against the illegal migrants who were penetrating into the state for years.

Early Stages:

•  It all started when the then Lok Sabha MP from Mangaldai constituency, Hiralal Patwari passed away and which in turn necessitated by-elections in the state. During the preparation of the electoral rolls it was noticed that there was sudden massive increase of electorate. Subsequently, articles in newspapers like the Dainik Asom published news and statistical data over the massive influx of illegal settlers.
• According to government estimates the population of Assam increased from 14.6 million in 1971 to 19.9 million in 1981, or 5.3 million (36.3 percent). India’s Chief Election Officer S. L. Shakdher in 1978 observed

"I would like to refer to the alarming situation in some states, especially in the North eastern region, where from reports are coming regarding large-scale inclusions of foreign nationals in the electoral rolls. In one case, the population in 1971 census recorded an increase as high as 34.98 percent over 1961 census figures and this figure was attributed to the influx of large number of persons from foreign nationals. The influx has become a regular. I think it may not be a wrong assessment to make that on the basis of the increase of 34.98 percent between two census, the increase would likely to be recorded in the 1971 census would be more than 100 percent over 1961 census. In other words, a stage would be reached when that state may have to reckon with the foreign nationals who may be in all probability constitute a sizable percentage if not the majority of population in the state"

This was the first account of a person in authority clearing the air regarding the foreigner influx issue that had been plaguing the state for years and much more after the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971).

Thereafter, the popular consensus to tackle the mass infiltration soon turned into a movement led by All Assam Student’s Union (AASU). The first organized opposition was in the form of twelve-hour general strike (Assam bandh) called All Assam Students Union (AASU) - June 1979. On 26th August 1979 a number of political and cultural organization came together to form All Asom Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) or Committee for the Assam People’s Struggle, that was the foundation of the Assam Agitation.

Initioal Phase:

• The initial phase of the movement was marked by wall writings against government’s exclusionary attitude and call for protest. Mass dharnas, picketing, satyagraha, strikes and mass signature campaigns, black-outs at night followed. As many as 18 lakh people took oath to carry out the struggle until the foreigners are ousted . People of Assam refused to take part in General Elections (1979).
• “No deletion, no election” was the demand. Assam became the first state in Independent India to not have taken part in the parliamentary elections. As a result 12 of the 14 constituencies’ seats remained vacant in the elections of 1979.
• Crude oil from the oil fields of upper Assam was refused to the rest of the country through formation of human chain. The rigid attitude of the agitators to end the movement till their demands were met and the impairing economic blockade made the Centre establish President’s rule in December 1979, which continued for a year. There was a complete breakdown of administrative machinery.
• Economic blockades and Law and Order crisis was the order of the day. After successive tumultuous years (1979–1982), the Indira Gandhi government decided to hold elections in January, 1983 which was met with violent protests throughout the state. The All Assam Minorities Students Union and AASU were invited for talks by the Centre for ending the grueling impasse.

Nellie Massacre:

• On 18th February 1983, an indigenous tribal group Lalung (also called Tiwa), along with some Assamese, attacked the village of Nellie and several nearby villages with spears, swords, sticks and guns.
• The victims were Bengali-Muslim women and children who had mostly migrated from the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Official death toll stood at more than 2000.
• This was probably the most shocking incident of mass killing in India post Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• Several other violent incidents were reported in other disticts such a s Darrang, Lakhimpur etc. The Central Government resorted to measures such as arresting state government employees who boycotted the elections and censor of press and detention of journalists.

Elections Aftermath:

• Elections were held without much success mainly in Bengali-majority areas. Congress came to power in 1984 led by Hiteswar Saikia.
• The Nellie Massacre changed the dynamics of the agitation. People started moving away gradually from the movement due to the violent nature it had developed and mainly because of the communal and pro-Hindu angle that had crept in. In the middle of this, Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 31st October 1984.

End of the Movement and Assam Accord:

•  The new Central Governmnet under Rajiv Gandhi decided to call the leaders AAGSP (Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Biraj Sarma, Bhrigu Phukan) for negotiations. After a lot of deliberation the historic Assam Accord was signed in 15th August 1985.
• 1 January 1966 became the base year for detecting foreigners and 24th March 1971 was decided as the cut-off date for detecting illegal foreigners and removing them from the electoral rolls. Several other clauses were also included which are still issues of intense debate even today.

Political Impact and aftermath of Assam Agitation

• Asom Gana Parishad was formed out of AAGSP. Following signing of the Assam Accord the Hiteswar Saikia government was dismissed and fresh elections were held in December 1985 where AGP won handsomely and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta became the Chief Minister of Assam (the youngest in India at that time).
• The Assam Agitation slit open the diverse state of Assam into a battleground of community and identity politics. Oppression of the native Bodo community during the movement years proved to be disastrous and gave rise to the demand for Bodoland in the later years. Post the agitation there were demands for autonomous councils among most of the tribal communities of the state.
• The United Liberation Front of Assam was also created in the backdrop of the Assam Agitation. The objective of the outfit was to “secede from India” and establish a “socialist and sovereign state” and to drive away all non-Assamese people from the state. The ensuing years and the rise of ULFA as a terrorist organization as well the damage done to the region is for everyone to see.

The Assam Accord till date has not been fully implemented. Each successive government has made it a part of their campaign narrative but actual work done is not substantial. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) remains the last hope for the people of the state so that the objectives of the Assam Agitation are fulfilled in true sense.