MM Rahmatullah: More than 750 Muslim families have been displaced in a massive eviction and demolition drive in India’s northeastern state of Assam, triggering widespread protests and deep distress among affected communities.
The latest operation took place in Dhubri district, where the BJP-led Assam government deployed more than 60 bulldozers and a large contingent of police personnel to demolish homes and religious structures over allegations that the residents had occupied disputed land.
According to Kashmir Media Service, citing Indian news outlet NDTV, hundreds of Muslim families were forced to leave their homes as authorities carried out the large-scale clearance operation.
The demolition drive reportedly affected not only residential properties but also mosques, other places of worship and graveyards, sparking strong resentment among local Muslim communities.
Scenes of grief and mourning were witnessed across the affected areas, particularly around shrines and cemeteries. Large numbers of distressed women gathered inside mosques to offer prayers as their families faced the loss of homes, belongings and places of religious significance.
The operation has once again drawn attention to the recurring eviction drives in Assam, where Muslim communities have repeatedly faced displacement amid allegations of illegal settlement and land occupation.
For many affected families, the consequences extend far beyond the destruction of houses. Losing shelter, property and access to basic facilities has created uncertainty about their future, particularly for women, children and elderly people.
Assam has witnessed several controversial eviction operations in recent years, with authorities frequently describing the targeted settlements as illegal encroachments on government or disputed land. However, such operations have also faced criticism over their humanitarian consequences and the treatment of vulnerable communities.
The issue has become particularly sensitive because many of those affected are Muslims who have been portrayed by sections of the political establishment as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the national level in 2014, concerns have grown over the treatment of religious minorities in India. Muslim communities, in particular, have repeatedly raised concerns about discrimination, insecurity and the loss of homes and livelihoods.
The latest eviction drive in Dhubri has renewed questions about the protection of minority rights, the treatment of displaced families and the need to ensure that land-related disputes are resolved through lawful and humane procedures.
While governments have the authority to address illegal occupation of public land, such actions require transparency, due process and adequate safeguards against arbitrary displacement.
The plight of more than 750 families in Assam highlights the urgent need to protect vulnerable communities and ensure that development, land management and law enforcement do not come at the cost of basic human dignity and religious rights.