The Assam movement: Beginning of a new political consciousness among the muslims of east-Bengal Origin in Assam

The Assam Movement is the most popular mass movement that Assam experienced during the post-colonial period. A large section of the Asamiya people supported the movement because it was embedded in the question of identity. The movement, in its first inception, was a protest movement against the government policy of giving political rights to alleged foreigners. But gradually it transformed with the emphasis being shifted on the issue of identity construction by drawing upon various ethnic stands and ultimately leading to ethnic disorder. The movement brought a distinctive political awareness amongst the Muslim community in general and the Muslims of East-Bengal origin in particular of Assam. Though the Movement at its initial phase was against all the illegal foreign nationals residing in Assam, yet gradually it seemed to be stood against the Muslims of East-Bengal origin and the Hindu Bengalis living in Assam. It propelled a deep polarization between the Asamiyas and the Muslims of East-Bengal origin.