Maulana Ahmed Sahid (Gobindpuri) Slams Deportation Of Bengali Muslims, Warns Against Gun Culture; Urges for Undivided India

Amid growing concerns over recent deportations from Assam and the government’s decision to issue gun licenses to “original inhabitants” near the international border, Maulana Ahmed Sahid (Gobindpuri) has voiced sharp criticism, calling the developments “inhuman” and potentially “catastrophic”.

Referring to the reported deportation of nearly 70 individuals, previously labelled as D-voters and held in detention camps for failing to prove Indian citizenship, Maulana Sahid in a press conference on Monday said, “Few days back, many Bengali Muslims who have been living in India for long time were pushed back to Bangladesh. That is extremely sad and inhuman. We are in opposition to that.”

In a detailed statement, he traced the history of migration in Assam, highlighting the administrative reorganisation under British rule. “In 1832, Cachar was joined with Assam to increase revenue. Goalpara was with Bengal, which was also later merged with Assam by the British. These were undivided parts, so the movement of people from one place to another was natural—for work, for settlement. If people moved during that time, how can they be called foreigners?” he asked.

The Maulana also drew a distinction between Bengali Hindus and Muslims migrating into Assam. “Bengali Muslims didn’t come in large numbers during the 1930s. Bengali Hindus came in large numbers during 1971. Those Hindu Bengalis who came to Assam after 1971 must be given citizenship. As per our estimates, no Bengali Muslims came to Assam post-1971—except maybe 2 to 4 exceptions,” he said.

His comments come at a time when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently announced a new policy to provide gun licenses to “Khilonjiyas” (original inhabitants of Assam) living near international borders and conflict-prone areas. The Maulana expressed deep concern over this move, saying, “I have heard that people are getting gun licenses now. I think this will yield catastrophic results, and this culture is not good for our society. We all want to live in peace.”

He also criticised the state of infrastructure in Barak Valley, claiming that the region remains neglected. “We don’t have proper roads. Whenever it rains, we get disconnected by both rail and road. We want an alternative road,” he said.

Maulana Ahmed Sahid announced that he will meet CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 26 to “explain the matter beautifully” and urged the government not to push people out of the borders. He also revealed plans to organise a Peace Conference in Guwahati on August 28, featuring religious leaders from different faiths. “We will start with one peace conference in Guwahati and then hold 100 such conferences across Assam,” he said.

Ending on a broader note of unity, he added, “I would really want the Indian subcontinent to be united again.”

His remarks come amid rising tensions along Assam’s borders and growing debate over citizenship, migration, and identity in the state.