Archive · 27 Nov 2025
BJP's Stance on Assam's Illegal Immigration
The BJP has long been vocal about illegal immigration from Bangladesh to Assam.
They blame the Congress for not stopping this migration, which led to the violent Nellie massacre in 1983.
The BJP opposed the IMDT Act and the Assam Accord, believing the cut-off date for citizenship should be 1951, not 1971.
They have consistently highlighted the issue, even releasing a booklet in 2012 blaming the Congress for the violence in Assam.
The recent tabling of reports on the Nellie massacre by the Assam government is seen as a move to criticize the Congress for their handling of the situation.
The Assam government tabled reports on the 1983 Nellie massacre, which the BJP sees as a failure of the Congress to stop illegal immigration.
The Nellie massacre resulted in 1,800-3,000 deaths, mostly Bengali-origin Muslims, with no arrests made despite 668 FIRs.
The BJP has consistently opposed illegal immigration from Bangladesh, blaming the Congress for encouraging it for political gains.
The BJP opposed the IMDT Act and the Assam Accord, advocating for a 1951 cut-off date for citizenship instead of 1971.
The BJP has released publications and statements over the years, including a 2012 booklet blaming the Congress for the violence in Assam.
- Who
- BJP, Congress, Assam Government, Debabrata Saikia, L K Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman
- What
- Assam agitation, Nellie massacre, illegal immigration from Bangladesh, BJP's stance on immigration
- When
- 1957, 1980, 1983, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2023
- Where
- Assam, India
- Why
- To address undocumented migration from Bangladesh and its political implications
- Date of Nellie Massacre
- February 18, 1983
- Official Death Toll
- 1,800
- Unofficial Death Toll
- 3,000
- FIRs Registered
- 668
- Arrests Made
- 0
- BJP's Position on IMDT Act
- Opposed
- Supreme Court's Verdict on IMDT Act
- Struck down in 2005
- BJP's Preferred Cut-off Date for Citizenship
- 1951