Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a sharp political attack on the Congress party, accusing it of viewing Bangladeshi infiltrators as a dedicated vote bank. He made these remarks during a public address in Assam on 29 December 2025.
A Historic Day for Assam's Heritage
Shah's comments came on what he described as a historic occasion. He stated that the birthplace of the revered 15th-16th century Vaishnavite saint and reformer, Srimanta Sankardeva, had been successfully 'freed from encroachment'. This move, according to the Home Minister, was a significant step in preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of Assam.
Political Allegations Take Center Stage
While highlighting the government's action, Amit Shah swiftly turned the focus to national security and political rhetoric. He alleged that the opposition Congress party has a long-standing policy of considering illegal immigrants from Bangladesh as a potential reservoir of votes to secure electoral victories.
"The Congress party's approach has always been to protect these infiltrators for their own political gain, compromising the nation's security and demographic balance," Shah asserted, without providing specific evidence for the claim. This accusation taps into a longstanding and contentious issue in Indian politics, particularly in border states like Assam.
The Broader Implications
The Home Minister's statement is set to reignite debate on several critical fronts:
- National Security: The persistent issue of illegal immigration across the India-Bangladesh border.
- Electoral Politics: The use of sensitive demographic issues as a tool for political mobilization.
- Cultural Preservation: The government's focus on reclaiming and protecting sites of historical and religious importance in the region.
Shah's visit and statements are seen as a reinforcement of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) core political plank in the northeastern state, which combines cultural nationalism with a strong stance on border security. The Congress party is yet to issue an official response to these specific allegations made by the Union Home Minister.
