Question

Why did the Assamese students start an agitation?

Why did the Assamese students start the movement?

Answer 1

The Assamese students started an agitation primarily to address the issue of illegal immigration into Assam, particularly from Bangladesh. They were concerned about the increasing number of non-Assamese residents in the state, which they believed was altering the demographic balance and threatening the identity of the Assamese people. The main demand of the students, led by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), was to identify and expel illegal immigrants, ensuring that only Assamese-origin citizens would remain in the state. This movement, known as the Assam Agitation (1979-1985), became a widespread and popular protest, culminating in the Assam Accord signed in 1985.