The proposed observation of ‘Bihar Diwas’ in Tinsukia, a bustling commercial hub in Upper Assam, has ignited a heated debate, compelling a critical re-evaluation of Assam’s socio-political landscape and its broader implications for the Northeast. Tinsukia, long known for its role in tea, coal, and timber industries, has historically attracted a substantial Bihari community, which has since played a dominant role in the local economy.
This dynamic is reflected in the constituency’s political reality, with BJP MLA Sanjay Kissan, a member of the tea tribe community, representing Tinsukia. The demographic composition of the region further underscores the influence of migrant communities, with approximately 49% of its 172,556 voters identifying as non-Assamese. The historical context behind these demographic shifts is crucial. Economic opportunities during the colonial era led to an influx of Bihari and other migrant communities, particularly in industries such as tea plantations, coal mining, and timber extraction. Indigenous populations, largely from various tribal groups, were initially unfamiliar with these industries, while migrant communities successfully established economic footholds that gradually extended into the political sphere.
The control over natural resources, especially coal—with Tinsukia’s Makum Coalfield holding a substantial portion of Assam’s 525.01 million tonnes of reserves—has long been a contentious issue. Indigenous communities, belatedly realising the extent of resource exploitation, have grown increasingly vocal about their perceived marginalisation. The proposed Bihar Diwas celebration, set against this backdrop, stirred fresh anxieties, serving as a reminder of the fragile balance between assimilation and conflict.
Following a wave of backlash across social media and protests from various socio-political organisations, the organisers—many of whom hold positions within the ruling BJP—abandoned the plan. Among them was Pulak Gohain, BJP state general secretary and a former senior leader of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), highlighting the deep political entanglements at play.
Demographic shifts and lingual tensions
The demographic transformation of Tinsukia has been a growing source of friction, as economic migration from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh reshapes Assam’s social fabric. Initially arriving as labourers due to economic hardships in their home states, these migrants have, over the decades, established substantial economic and political influence.
This shift has also brought linguistic changes. Although Assamese is the official language, only 21.29% of Tinsukia’s population identifies as Assamese speakers. In contrast, Hindi and Bengali speakers comprise 34.46% and 33.05% of the population, respectively. The growing dominance of non-Assamese speakers has heightened local anxieties, as it is perceived to be altering the cultural and political identity of the region.
Concerns over migration and resource competition are not new. The Assam Movement (1979-1985) emerged from similar fears that an influx of outsiders was threatening indigenous livelihoods. Adip Kumar Phukan, a senior journalist and founding member of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Satra Parisad (AJYCP), recalls that the movement initially focused on preventing ‘outsiders’ from seizing job and business opportunities.
In an interview with The Borderlens, Phukan recounted that AJYCP, founded in 1978, joined AASU in pushing for dual citizenship and the establishment of a National Register of Citizens (NRC). However, he observed that the movement’s rhetoric shifted over time, particularly with the rise of the BJP’s influence. The term “Bahiragata” (Outsider) was gradually replaced by “Bangladeshi,” reframing the narrative to align with national political discourses.
Phukan identifies three distinct phases of the ‘outsider’ debate: initially focusing on outsiders in general, later shifting to ‘Bangladeshis,’ and, most recently since 2014, emphasising Muslim immigrants. This evolving narrative continues to shape the socio-political fabric of Tinsukia and Assam at large. Phukan, who served as AJYCP’s general secretary from 1986 to 1996, underscores how these tensions remain deeply embedded in Assam’s political discourse.
The Assam Movement’s enduring legacy and the role of ULFA
The Assam Movement’s legacy continues to shape contemporary socio-political realities, evident in the rise of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the historical targeting of the Bihari community in Tinsukia. Rooted in anxieties about exploitation by perceived ‘outsiders,’ ULFA, under the leadership of Paresh Baruah, recently issued threats against the organizers of Bihar Diwas, forcing its postponement.
This resurgence of nativist sentiment highlights the tension between national integration efforts and local apprehensions. The BJP’s initiative to observe Bihar Diwas in Tinsukia was seemingly aligned with the “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” agenda, aimed at fostering national unity. However, the move provoked strong opposition, including direct threats from ULFA, forcing the ruling party into a tactical retreat. While the government initially defended the event by citing reciprocal ‘Assam Diwas’ celebrations in other states, the public backlash made it clear that the indigenous population of Upper Assam viewed it as an imposition rather than a gesture of unity.
Government’s response and political implications
The Assam government’s initial decision to celebrate Bihar Diwas in Tinsukia quickly became a political liability, prompting a strategic withdrawal. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attempted to justify the event by pointing to reciprocal celebrations of Assam Diwas elsewhere. State BJP president Dilip Saikia similarly framed the initiative as an embodiment of the “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” vision. However, the intense backlash—exacerbated by security concerns, opposition from social organisations, and ULFA’s threats—forced a reconsideration.
This episode underscores the delicate balance between national integration policies and regional sensitivities, especially in a state like Assam with a complex history of ethnic and linguistic identity struggles. The government’s eventual decision to cancel the event highlights the power of public sentiment and the necessity of considering local perspectives when implementing culturally significant policies.
The broader significance of Bihar Diwas in Assam
The controversy surrounding Bihar Diwas in Tinsukia carries deep symbolic weight in Assam’s socio-political landscape. It has once again brought to the forefront the longstanding tensions between indigenous communities and migrant populations, tensions rooted in colonial-era demographic shifts.
The backlash and subsequent cancellation of the event illustrate the ongoing struggle between economic realities, political ambitions, and the preservation of indigenous identity. It serves as a stark reminder that in Assam, where history and identity are deeply intertwined, any attempt at cultural imposition—even under the banner of national unity—must be navigated with utmost sensitivity.
As Assam continues to grapple with these complexities, the Bihar Diwas controversy offers yet another chapter in the region’s evolving narrative of assimilation, conflict, and the search for a sustainable coexistence.
