Guwahati, June 16: The Congress has accused the BJP-led Assam government of attempting to hand over tribal and indigenous lands to corporate interests like Adani, in direct violation of land rights and democratic processes.
Addressing a press conference, opposition leader Debabrata Saikia condemned the government’s ongoing efforts to reclassify and repurpose tribal lands in regions like Parbatjhora without consent from affected communities. He claimed that 2,100 families with valid land records are facing eviction, while multinational corporations stand to gain.
“Will Assam’s lands now go to Baba Ramdev, who once promised ₹35 petrol? Will Adani and Ambani be handed our resources while the people are ignored?” Saikia asked, demanding the BJP government issue a white paper on land transactions and policy changes.
The controversy stems from the BJP’s post-2016 promise to protect “jati, mati, bheti” (community, land, roots). But Saikia accused the government of using that slogan as a smokescreen while working behind closed doors to create a “land bank” for private capital.
Initially, Congress supported a policy allowing 5% of tea garden land to be used for non-agricultural purposes, citing employment benefits. But Saikia now said that move was exploited to begin broader land grabs under the guise of reforms.
He criticized the formation of a secretive committee led by Justice Prashant Kumar Deka and called the current consultation process “a farce,” noting that public feedback is being solicited via email without accessible hearings. “Are poor farmers supposed to farm or send emails?” he said.
Saikia also questioned the effectiveness of the much-touted Mission Basundhara programs, claiming they have failed to deliver. “In my constituency, only 600 out of 6,000 applicants received allotments under Mission Basundhara. The third phase reached just 1,500 people,” he said.
Referencing land reforms from Congress governments—including the 1971 Assam Land Policy and the “He who tills, owns the land” principle of former CM Sarat Chandra Sinha—Saikia insisted there is no need for new laws. He said existing frameworks have served the people well and that tampering with them undermines constitutional safeguards.
Criticizing the unilateral approach of the government, he said, “In a democracy, every step must involve dialogue, respect for the Constitution, and legislative discussion. The Assam government is bypassing all of this.”
Saikia also challenged BJP leader Mrinal Saikia’s claim that welfare schemes harm Assam’s youth. “The same people who called blankets and mosquito nets ‘vote politics’ now use public money to buy votes through schemes like Orunodoi,” he said.
Finally, echoing MP Gaurav Gogoi’s warning that the BJP-RSS alliance is endangering Assam’s environment, Saikia praised the Assam Police for arresting a relative of an AGP leader, signalling internal rot within the ruling coalition.
Saikia vowed to continue opposing the land transfers and insists no one should have to protest on the streets for rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
