Supreme Court Upholds Assam Accord: A Landmark Ruling for Citizenship Rights

Guwahati: In a momentous decision, Congress leader Ripun Bora praised the Supreme Court’s ruling that reaffirmed the validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, a pivotal component of the Assam Accord. Speaking to India Today NE, Bora described the judgment—delivered by a five-judge bench led by the Chief Justice of India—as a significant milestone for the people of Assam.”This is an incredibly historic judgment,” Bora declared, noting its importance not only as a Congress member but also as a proud Assamese citizen. He referred to the Assam Accord, established on August 15, 1985, under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership, which designated March 25, 1971, as the cutoff date for identifying and deporting illegal migrants. This consensus was embraced across Assam’s diverse communities, transcending caste, creed, and religion.Bora criticized the ruling BJP government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for creating ambiguity around the cutoff date for citizenship, specifically the recent attempts to shift it to 1951. He stated, “In recent years, we have seen deliberate efforts to sow confusion on this critical issue.”The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the cutoff date of March 25, 1971, which is enshrined in the Constitution through Section 6A of the Citizenship Act of 1955. Bora characterized the decision as a victory for justice and clarity, expressing hope that it would quell the uncertainty fostered by the current administration.He called on all political entities to respect the Supreme Court’s decision and collaborate for Assam’s progress, highlighting the necessity of unity in overcoming the state’s challenges.Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court issued a majority verdict affirming the constitutional validity of Section 6A, which grants citizenship to immigrants who arrived in Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized the Accord as a political resolution to the issue of illegal migration, recognizing the unique challenges Assam faces due to its geographic constraints.While the majority opinion upheld the cutoff date and affirmed Parliament’s legislative authority, Justice J B Pardiwala dissented, declaring Section 6A unconstitutional. The bench ultimately dismissed petitions challenging the validity of Section 6A, which specifically addresses citizenship rights for illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh, who entered Assam within the specified timeframe.