BJP's reclassification of Assamese Muslims as 'Indigenous' raises questions about political strategy and identity politics in northeast India
Original framing: “‘We’re new miyas’: Will BJP naming some Assamese Muslims ‘Indigenous’ work?” — Al Jazeera
The BJP's reclassification operates as a trickster-like inversion, where the oppressed (Muslims) are recast as the 'indigenous' to serve the oppressor's (Hindu majoritarian) agenda, exposing the absurdity of identity politics when stripped of historical context. This satire reveals the hollow core of majoritarianism, where even the language of resistance is co-opted to reinforce domination.
The BJP's reclassification of Assamese Muslims as 'indigenous' reflects a broader trend in which political actors manipulate identity for electoral gain.
This strategy obscures the complex historical and cultural realities of the region, where indigenous and Muslim communities have coexisted for centuries. The Assam Movement and the 1985 Accord laid the groundwork for current tensions, and the current reclassification risks deepening divisions rather than resolving them. To move forward, inclusive legal and political frameworks must be developed that respect the diversity of Assam’s population and prioritize the voices of those historically marginalized. Drawing from cross-cultural examples, it is clear that identity politics must be approached with caution to avoid reinforcing exclusionary narratives.