Live Chat: Illegal Infiltration & Impact on Demographics/ 8pm, 6th Jan (Fri)

Dear All: Following up from the series of “live chats” and calls last year, I would like to start 2012 with a live text chat on:

“The continuing illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and its implication for the demographics of Assam and Paschim Banga”

Time: 8pm IST
Date: 6th Jan ’12 (Friday)

Please do leave a note below (via comments) if you have a specific question or wish me to address a specific point.

 

The text-based chat will be a relatively free-flowing discussion focused on illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and its implications – particularly for the demographics of Assam and Paschim Banga – and more generally the north-east region.  If you plan to join, please note the time and make sure you are online a few minutes before we initiate the chat. You should be able to set a reminder in the box by entering your email. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

In the meantime, please have a look at the following posts by way of background..

Notes from North-East: Indigenous Cultures, Demographic Invasion

Islamisation of north-east is now a real threat…

Some startling stats from the eastern front…

Notes from North-East: Weekend Reading

India Breaking – Read this and weep

Secular Harit Desh – Part II

..and finally, pl have a look at some of the posts on this thread

B Shantanu

Political Activist, Blogger, Advisor to start-ups, Seed investor. One time VC and ex-Diplomat. Failed mushroom farmer; ex Radio Jockey. Currently involved in Reclaiming India - One Step at a Time.

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8 Responses

  1. @indiadebates says:

    I had planned a similar event same day http://india-debates.blogspot.com/ but you beat me to it. All the best!

  2. Janmejaya says:

    The issue of illegal immigration not only affects Paschima Banga and Assam but has had disastrous consequences for Odisha as well. If you have no objections then I suppose we can discuss about Odisha as well.

  3. B Shantanu says:

    @Janmajeya: Yes, of course..Look forward to having you on the call tomorrow.

  4. PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TOO.

    “Honourable Prime Minister of India: Stop the Talibanisation of West Bengal’s border; Protect India’s Sovereignty”

    http://www.change.org/petitions/his-excellency-hon-prime-minister-of-india-stop-the-talibanisation-of-wbengals-border-protect-indias-sovereignty

  5. Dear sir
    A student of CIPL is from Assam.He will be able to give u real feel of the demography, may be.We are looking forward to participate in the chat.

    CIPL, Mumbai University.

  6. B Shantanu says:

    Feeling stunned aftr reading Mohit Ray’s well-researched paper on Illegal Migration & how the idea of Paschim Banga is at stake https://www.box.net/s/zlaytzqm8q4o50rd7p4c

    Below are a few quotes & tweets tht highlight the grim situation in Assam & Paschim Banga
    Gopalkrishna Gandhi: “West Bengal sitting on an Infiltration Time Bomb”
    JN Mandal (first Law Minister of Pakistan): “I’m afraid..by gradual stages and in a planned manner (Hindus will) be either converted to Islam…or completely exterminated”. He said this in 1950.
    Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio: “Assam has almost become a breeding ground for illegal migrants”
    TV Rajeshwar: A “third partition of Bengal” may be in the offing if infiltration is not checked” (said in 1990)
    Justice BK Sharma (Gauhati HC): “..the entire machinery (of identifying & deporting foreigners)..is a mere mockery..and no useful purpose has been served”
    Supreme Court: “There can be no manner of doubt that the State of Assam is facing external aggression..it poses a threat to the integrity and security of the North-Eastern region.”
    MoS (Home Affairs): “..there 1 crore 20 lakhs 53 thousand and 950 illegal Bangladeshi in the country” (this was in 2004)
    As much as 7000 bighas of Satra land may’ve been lost in last few years http://j.mp/c7lzhT
    In its maiden electoral foray in 2009, AUDF won 10 seats in Assam w/ vote share 9% compared to BJP’s 11% & Congress’ 15%
    Join me for Live Chat on Illegal Infiltration & Impact on Demographics of Assam, PaschimBanga http://j.mp/u8KV5d tmrw, 8pm

  7. B Shantanu says:

    In the middle of the news on FIRs, Railway Budget, Telangana, match-fixing and such, I wonder how many of you picked up this bit of “news”:
    “Contrary to the government’s claims that there has been no large scale illegal migration from Bangladesh in recent years, Army chief general Bikram Singh on Tuesday called it a matter of “grave concern” and a threat to national security.
    “The problem of illegal migration in Bangladesh has led to demographic changes in the northeast. It has led to serious internal security challenges in Assam,” Singh told a seminar on “Border and Naxal Management”.
    Back in 2008, I had concluded a post titled, ‘North-East “burning”‘ http://j.mp/MVH3pp with these lines:
    “What can we conclude from all this?
    1] India is facing a grave demographic and national security threat from Bangladesh and via uncontrolled borders throughout the North East (including the border with Nepal)
    2] The government is unwilling to tackle this issue head on in spite of repeated warnings, alerts and numerous reports (from various bodies) about the gravity and seriousness of the threat
    3] This “soft assault” on India (via demographics and porous borders) is likely to have serious and severe long-term consequences that may – in the extreme – lead to balkanisation of parts of India.
    4]The situation has the makings of a crisis that could stall the country’s economic development and fatally expose our strategic weaknesses
    5] It is imperative that this issue be brought centre-stage and in the public consciousness.
    This was in 2008.
    We are in 2014.
    This is an issue I have been tracking with some interest and great concern over the years. Sadly not much appears to have changed. 2 years back, I had organised a live chat on this issue (see a replay above or at this link: http://j.mp/u8KV5d) but a lot more needs to be done on the awareness front…
    Time perhaps for another chat/discussion, I think..