Question

Analyse any three reasons for the movement against outsiders in Assam.

Hint:

Think of the AASU led movement: fear for Assamese identity, outsiders on voter lists and the feeling that Assam resources were taken away.

Answer 1

Step 1: Background:
The movement against outsiders in Assam was led by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) from 1979. It asked the government to detect and deport illegal migrants.
Three reasons for it follow.

Step 2: Fear of losing Assamese identity:
Large numbers of people had come in from neighbouring areas, mainly Bangladesh. The Assamese feared they would be reduced to a minority in their own land.
They worried for their language, culture and control of the state.

Step 3: Names of outsiders in the voter lists:
In 1979, in a by-election at Mangaldoi, people noticed a very sharp rise in voters. They believed foreigners had been added to the electoral rolls.
The students demanded that such names be removed and that the migrants be sent out.

Step 4: Economic grievances:
Assam produces tea, oil and coal, but the Assamese felt the profits went outside and the state stayed poor.
With few jobs and land under pressure, they blamed the outsiders. This anger sustained the agitation.

Final Answer:
Fear of cultural loss, doubt about the electoral rolls, and economic neglect were the three reasons for the Assam movement against outsiders.