Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled a significant legislative initiative targeting issues of “land jihad and love jihad.” During a state BJP extended executive meeting, Sarma highlighted his government’s plan to introduce a new law that will impose life imprisonment for offenses related to these controversial issues. The term ‘love jihad,’ frequently used by right-wing groups, accuses Muslim men of strategically converting Hindu women through marriage. Sarma’s statement underscores his commitment to combating what he describes as a threat to indigenous rights and societal harmony.
“We spoke about ‘love jihad’ during the elections. Soon, we will bring a law that will award life imprisonment in such cases,” Sarma announced. The proposed law aims to address allegations and concerns surrounding these terms, reflecting a broader agenda to secure land rights and government jobs for Assam’s indigenous population.
Land Rights and Domicile Policy
In addition to tackling ‘land jihad and love jihad,’ Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed plans for a new domicile policy that will restrict eligibility for state government jobs to individuals born in Assam. This policy is intended to ensure that only long-term residents benefit from these opportunities. Sarma emphasized that the government’s priority is to safeguard the interests of indigenous people, particularly in the context of the “one lakh government jobs” promised during the elections.
Sarma accused the previous Congress government of bias, specifically targeting the allocation of police constable positions. He claimed that under the Congress administration, job allocations favored a “particular community,” particularly during the tenure of the current Dhubri MP, who was then in charge of the Home Department. This critique underscores the ongoing tensions and disputes over job distribution and land rights.
Addressing Illegal Land Encroachments
The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of illegal land encroachments, asserting that his government has already reclaimed land equivalent to the size of Chandigarh. Sarma outlined his plans to introduce legislation that will restrict land sales in the undivided Goalpara district to protect the Koch-Rajbongshi community. This proposed law is aimed at preventing what Sarma describes as ‘land jihad,’ a term used to denote unauthorized land acquisition and encroachment by outside communities.
Further legislative measures will focus on protecting land in Barpeta, Majuli, and Batadrawa, which are significant centers for Vaishnavism. Sarma’s plan includes allowing land transfers only among residents of these areas, with the possibility of extending similar protections to other regions based on public demand. This move is seen as a proactive measure to prevent communal conflicts and preserve the cultural heritage of these areas.
Future Legislative Developments
Sarma also announced a requirement for the Chief Minister’s consent for land sales between Hindus and Muslims to prevent communal disputes. Additionally, forthcoming legislation will create “micro tribal belts and blocks” to protect small tribal settlements that are outside the existing notified belts and blocks. This legislation is part of a broader strategy to safeguard indigenous rights and address the concerns related to ‘land jihad and love jihad.’
In addressing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests, Sarma dismissed the agitation as misleading, noting that only eight applications have been received under the act in Assam so far. He also highlighted a “bold step” involving the clearance of biometrics of nine lakh people collected during the National Register of Citizens (NRC) update, aiming to resolve outstanding issues and provide clarity on citizenship status.
Sarma concluded his address with a confident outlook on the BJP’s prospects for the 2026 elections, attributing potential success to the party’s welfare measures and governance achievements. He expressed gratitude to state party chief Bhabesh Kalita for reviewing and ensuring the fulfillment of poll promises within the coming year. Sarma emphasized the need for delimitation of panchayats to further safeguard indigenous rights and called on party workers to collaborate with allies for future electoral campaigns.
The introduction of legislation on ‘land jihad and love jihad’ represents a significant shift in Assam’s political and legislative landscape, reflecting a strong commitment to protecting indigenous interests and addressing communal tensions.
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