Assam: MP Dilip Saikia blames Congress for northeast demographic shift post 1971 war

BJP MP Dilip Saikia launched a sharp offensive against the Congress party during a heated speech in the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 28 holding the grand old party responsible for a range of national challenges from the changing demography in the Northeast to the inclusion of illegal immigrants in electoral rolls.

Referring to the 1971 India-Pakistan war, Saikia said that while India made immense sacrifices and emerged victorious, leading to the creation of Bangladesh and the surrender of 90,000 Pakistani troops, the aftermath of that war has become a long-term concern for India’s northeastern states.

"The creation of Bangladesh has now turned into a headache for the Northeast," Saikia asserted. "States like Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Bihar have been deeply affected by illegal immigration from Bangladesh, which has drastically altered the region’s demography. Places where indigenous people were once the majority are now seeing them reduced to minorities."

He directly blamed Congress for this demographic shift, alleging that during its rule in 1971, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were given voting rights, land documents, and ration cards, allowing them to gain legitimacy.

"If anyone has committed a sin against this nation, it is the Congress party," Saikia said.

Targeting Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi, Saikia made explosive claims, stating that an SIT (Special Investigation Team) has been constituted to probe alleged connections between Gogoi's wife and Pakistan.

"The deputy LoP, who speaks vocally against Pakistan in debates like Operation Sindoor, should first answer about his own household," said Saikia. "His wife was allegedly on the payroll in Pakistan, and he has himself visited Pakistan 19 times. Isn’t it double standards to now speak against the same country?"

He added that the results of the SIT probe would be made public soon.

Continuing his criticism, Saikia also blamed Congress for the loss of one-third of Kashmir, claiming it led to the formation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“Under Congress's watch, a significant portion of our land was seized by Pakistan. You should be ashamed,” Saikia declared. “PoK will soon return to India, and the Congress must stop playing politics that divides the country.”