In a move that has sparked nationwide debate, India’s Assam state government has announced it will offer gun licences to “indigenous” residents living near the Bangladesh border. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the step is aimed at protecting those who feel threatened due to rising insecurity in the region. The decision follows recent tensions in the border districts and is part of a broader campaign to prioritize the rights of Assamese-speaking people.
Assam, a northeastern state with a population of about 31 million, has long dealt with ethnic, linguistic, and religious divisions. Around 35 percent of its people are Bengali-speaking Muslims, while the majority are Hindus. Sarma claims that local communities face potential threats not only from across the border but also within their own villages. He emphasized that indigenous residents in sensitive areas can now apply for gun licences through a newly launched online portal.
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil rights activists, who fear it could escalate violence. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi warned that this policy may lead to gang clashes and crimes driven by personal disputes. He described it as a dangerous shift away from law and order, accusing the government of promoting fear rather than ensuring safety through proper governance.
Notably, this isn’t the first time Assam’s government has been accused of targeting the Muslim population. Large-scale eviction drives have been carried out against what Sarma described as “illegal foreigners or doubtful citizens,” a term widely interpreted as a reference to Bengali-speaking Muslims. Many of these individuals, however, are Indian citizens with deep ancestral ties to the region.
The situation has become more tense following political upheaval in neighbouring Bangladesh, which was once a close ally of India’s ruling BJP. Sarma recently warned that changes in Bangladesh’s leadership have created uncertainty, leaving indigenous communities in Assam’s border districts feeling unsafe. As the state rolls out this new gun policy, concerns remain about how it will impact the already fragile communal harmony in the region.