Question

Discuss the course of movements started by AASU.

Answer 1

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) played the central role in leading the Assam Movement (1979-1985). This movement was directed against the large-scale infiltration of foreigners (especially from Bangladesh) into Assam, which threatened the cultural identity and political rights of the Assamese people.

1. Beginning of the Agitation (1979): The issue first came to light during the Mangaldoi Lok Sabha by-election (1978-79), when the voters’ list was found to include a huge number of immigrants. AASU demanded that the by-election be postponed until the names of foreigners were deleted. This marked the beginning of the organized agitation.
2. Boycott of Elections (December 1979): AASU, along with the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), called for a statewide bandh on 10 December 1979, the last date for filing nominations. Mass picketing was organized to prevent candidates from filing papers in the Brahmaputra Valley. This showed the determination of Assamese students to press for the issue of illegal foreigners.
3. Widening of the Movement (1980-1982): The agitation spread across the state with hartals, strikes, and demonstrations. Slogans like “Detection, Deletion, and Deportation” of foreigners became central. AASU mobilized support not only from students but also from ordinary Assamese people, making it a mass movement.
4. Clashes and Violence: The agitation led to frequent clashes between locals and immigrants, causing loss of life and property. The most tragic episode was the Nellie Massacre of 1983, where thousands of people were killed during election-related violence.
5. Negotiations and Deadlock: The Central Government held several rounds of talks with AASU, AAGSP leaders. However, no agreement could be reached as AASU insisted on the cut-off date of 1951, while the government preferred 1971 (linked to the Bangladesh Liberation War).
6. End of the Movement Assam Accord (1985): Finally, after prolonged negotiations, the Assam Accord was signed on 15 August 1985 between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the AASU–AAGSP leaders. It was agreed that all foreigners who entered Assam after 25 March 1971 would be detected and deported. The Accord ended the six-year-long agitation, and AASU leaders like Prafulla Kumar Mahanta entered mainstream politics.