Assam Could Be ‘Automatically Included’ in Bangladesh If Immigrants Rise by 10%: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked a political debate after warning that the state could be “automatically included” in Bangladesh if the proportion of immigrants rises by another 10 per cent. The remark was made while reiterating his long-standing concerns over illegal immigration from the neighbouring country and its potential impact on Assam’s demographic balance and identity.
Speaking on the issue, Sarma claimed that a significant portion of Assam’s population already comprises people of Bangladeshi origin. He argued that any further increase could pose serious risks to the state’s cultural, political, and territorial integrity. The Chief Minister said he has been consistently raising the issue for the last several years, stressing the need for strict measures to check illegal migration.
Sarma’s statement, however, is widely seen as political rhetoric aimed at highlighting demographic concerns rather than a literal or legal possibility. Constitutional experts point out that there is no legal or constitutional provision under Indian law by which a state can be “automatically included” in another country due to population changes alone.
The issue of immigration from Bangladesh has remained a sensitive and contentious subject in Assam for decades. It has been at the centre of major political movements, including the Assam Agitation, the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Concerns over the protection of indigenous communities, language, land rights, and political representation continue to shape public discourse in the state.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have criticised the Chief Minister’s remarks, accusing him of using fear-driven narratives for political gain. They have called for data-backed discussions and humane solutions that respect constitutional values.
Despite the criticism, the Assam government maintains that safeguarding the state’s demographic balance and securing its borders remain top priorities. The latest comment by the Chief Minister has once again brought the issue of immigration and identity politics in Assam into sharp national focus.