'The Unquiet Nation': From Bihar’s ‘Vote-Theft’ Fears to Assam's Struggle for Identity—An In-Depth Analysis of Anti-BJP Protests
'The Unquiet Nation': From Bihar’s ‘Vote-Theft’ Fears to Assam's Struggle for Identity—An In-Depth Analysis of Anti-BJP Protests
(An In-Depth Analysis of the Multi-Layered Discontent Against the Ruling Establishment in October 2025.)
(An In-Depth Analysis of the Multi-Layered Discontent Against the Ruling Establishment in October 2025.)
The Current: Rising Political Temperature in India
The contemporary political landscape is not just confined to election preparations; it is a period marked by deep discontent and relentless questioning. The ongoing protests against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are not merely the noise of the opposition but reflect the genuine concerns of the common public. These demonstrations rest on three major pillars: the safeguarding of Regional Identity, the integrity of the Democratic Process, and the demand for Justice.
The contemporary political landscape is not just confined to election preparations; it is a period marked by deep discontent and relentless questioning. The ongoing protests against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are not merely the noise of the opposition but reflect the genuine concerns of the common public. These demonstrations rest on three major pillars: the safeguarding of Regional Identity, the integrity of the Democratic Process, and the demand for Justice.
I. Assam: The Gravest Fear—The CAA and the Question of a Cultural Icon
The fire of protest in Assam has been reignited by two major issues that are intrinsically linked to Assamese jatiyatabadi (ethno-nationalism) and cultural pride.
The fire of protest in Assam has been reignited by two major issues that are intrinsically linked to Assamese jatiyatabadi (ethno-nationalism) and cultural pride.
A. The CAA Deadline Extension: A Mockery of the Assam Accord?
The Centre recently issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, effectively extending the eligibility cut-off date for the CAA from December 2014 to December 31, 2024. This move is widely being called the "biggest crime" committed against the Assamese people.
The Fear of Regional Parties: Regional entities like the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) allege this extension is driven by the BJP's "obsession with vote banks." Their core fear is that this new order will impose an additional 10 years of burden from illegal Bangladeshi Hindu migrants (dating from 1971 to 2024). They point to the alarming statistic that the percentage of Assamese speakers, which dropped to 48% according to the 2011 Census, will see its identity further eroded.
Undermining the Assam Accord: The opposition argues this move severely jeopardizes the Assam Accord (1985), which sets the cut-off date for detecting foreigners at March 24, 1971, irrespective of religion. AASU has labelled the new order as "more dangerous than the CAA" itself and continues to demand that Assam be completely exempted from its purview. (Source: The Hindu, TOI - Sept 2025).
The Centre recently issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, effectively extending the eligibility cut-off date for the CAA from December 2014 to December 31, 2024. This move is widely being called the "biggest crime" committed against the Assamese people.
The Fear of Regional Parties: Regional entities like the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) allege this extension is driven by the BJP's "obsession with vote banks." Their core fear is that this new order will impose an additional 10 years of burden from illegal Bangladeshi Hindu migrants (dating from 1971 to 2024). They point to the alarming statistic that the percentage of Assamese speakers, which dropped to 48% according to the 2011 Census, will see its identity further eroded.
Undermining the Assam Accord: The opposition argues this move severely jeopardizes the Assam Accord (1985), which sets the cut-off date for detecting foreigners at March 24, 1971, irrespective of religion. AASU has labelled the new order as "more dangerous than the CAA" itself and continues to demand that Assam be completely exempted from its purview. (Source: The Hindu, TOI - Sept 2025).
B. The Death of Zubeen Garg: From Grief to Political Rage
The untimely and mysterious death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg (who famously used his music to bridge Hindu-Muslim communal fissures) has injected high emotion into the state's politics.
Public Outcry and SIT Probe: Following the singer’s death in Singapore, a surge of over 50 FIRs was filed. Amid mounting public pressure, the Assam Police’s SIT invoked charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, and negligence, leading to the arrest of his manager and the festival organiser.
Political Implications: The opposition has seized upon the investigation's slow initial pace and alleged lack of transparency. The Chief Minister's subsequent request to invoke the MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) with Singapore is seen as a necessary response to the widespread public demand for justice. The collective grief and anger surrounding Garg’s case is a manifestation of the youth’s deeper frustration with the ‘system’. (Source: The Hindu, TOI, Al Jazeera - Oct 2025).
The untimely and mysterious death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg (who famously used his music to bridge Hindu-Muslim communal fissures) has injected high emotion into the state's politics.
Public Outcry and SIT Probe: Following the singer’s death in Singapore, a surge of over 50 FIRs was filed. Amid mounting public pressure, the Assam Police’s SIT invoked charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, and negligence, leading to the arrest of his manager and the festival organiser.
Political Implications: The opposition has seized upon the investigation's slow initial pace and alleged lack of transparency. The Chief Minister's subsequent request to invoke the MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) with Singapore is seen as a necessary response to the widespread public demand for justice. The collective grief and anger surrounding Garg’s case is a manifestation of the youth’s deeper frustration with the ‘system’. (Source: The Hindu, TOI, Al Jazeera - Oct 2025).
II. National Discontent: Questioning the Democratic Foundation
Beyond the regional identity issues in Assam, serious questions are being raised about the basic functioning of the country's democratic structure:
Beyond the regional identity issues in Assam, serious questions are being raised about the basic functioning of the country's democratic structure:
A. Bihar Electoral Roll Revision (SIR): The ‘Vote-Theft’ Charge
In Bihar, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls prompted the opposition, led by the Congress and RJD (Mahagathbandhan), to accuse the Centre and the Election Commission of an "institutionalised theft" (vote-chori).
Fear of Exclusion: The opposition argued that the SIR's design—with stringent documentary requirements and a short timeframe—was engineered to disenfranchise vulnerable and poor citizens, who often lack the necessary paperwork due to migration or poverty.
The Victory of Protest: The Opposition credited their 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' and the subsequent intervention by the Supreme Court (directing the acceptance of Aadhaar as an additional document) for preventing mass deletions. They claim the final roll, which saw a reduction of 47 lakh voters, was far less than the original deletion targets, signifying a victory against a "nefarious exclusionary design." (Source: Indian Express, TOI - Sept 2025).
In Bihar, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls prompted the opposition, led by the Congress and RJD (Mahagathbandhan), to accuse the Centre and the Election Commission of an "institutionalised theft" (vote-chori).
Fear of Exclusion: The opposition argued that the SIR's design—with stringent documentary requirements and a short timeframe—was engineered to disenfranchise vulnerable and poor citizens, who often lack the necessary paperwork due to migration or poverty.
The Victory of Protest: The Opposition credited their 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' and the subsequent intervention by the Supreme Court (directing the acceptance of Aadhaar as an additional document) for preventing mass deletions. They claim the final roll, which saw a reduction of 47 lakh voters, was far less than the original deletion targets, signifying a victory against a "nefarious exclusionary design." (Source: Indian Express, TOI - Sept 2025).
B. The Shrinking Opposition Space and Agency Misuse
Across India, a persistent grievance from opposition parties is the alleged use of state machinery and central agencies (such as the ED and CBI) to suppress dissent and target political rivals.
This tactic—involving arrests and financial harassment of key opposition figures—is viewed by critics as eroding the democratic norm of opposition tolerance. It suggests that the executive is using legal and financial mechanisms to "steamroll" political challenges, which undermines the balance of power essential for a healthy democracy. (Source: Amnesty International - Broader Context).
Across India, a persistent grievance from opposition parties is the alleged use of state machinery and central agencies (such as the ED and CBI) to suppress dissent and target political rivals.
This tactic—involving arrests and financial harassment of key opposition figures—is viewed by critics as eroding the democratic norm of opposition tolerance. It suggests that the executive is using legal and financial mechanisms to "steamroll" political challenges, which undermines the balance of power essential for a healthy democracy. (Source: Amnesty International - Broader Context).
Conclusion: The Voice of the People, Demanding Attention
These widespread and diverse protests signal a deep-seated 'trust deficit'. When citizens take to the streets to fight for their identity against the CAA, cry for justice in the wake of Zubeen Garg's death, and allege 'theft' in the voter lists, it becomes clear that the narrative of governance is far from perfect. This fermenting discontent proves that while the Indian democracy may be under pressure, it is very much alive and fiercely resistant.
These widespread and diverse protests signal a deep-seated 'trust deficit'. When citizens take to the streets to fight for their identity against the CAA, cry for justice in the wake of Zubeen Garg's death, and allege 'theft' in the voter lists, it becomes clear that the narrative of governance is far from perfect. This fermenting discontent proves that while the Indian democracy may be under pressure, it is very much alive and fiercely resistant.
