Floods in Assam

Dear Mr. Qasmi,

A very good article. Though, due to obvious political reasons, you will disagree, it is true that most of the people who are devastated by these yearly floods are Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants. Don't ask me for a proof as the population census in Assam is rather fuzzy about religious categories, isn't it so?

The relationship between Bengalee Muslims and Assamese Hindus goes back for a long time. There were no religious problems till a couple of decades back. After the Burmese invasion Assam always depended on present day Bangladesh for labor. However, the migrants never could get political power.

These are hard working poor people who, due to the lack of political power, have been tremendously exploited by the Assamese chauvanist landed gentry (this includes Muslims too eg. Fakhruddin and Anwara Taimur). Moreover they have been brought in over a long period of time. They have not had any control over the political process and hence any control over the recurrence of floods. But now with Maulana Badruddin Ajmal's AUDF they have a real shot. I read somewhere that flood control was a big plank in his election campaign. Nothing will be given to these poor folks ... they have to snatch it. In the process IF they have to demand a separate country like Kashmir so be it. People like Badruddin and Mayawati are India's future.

p.s. Mr Qasmi I have a special affinity with these people. I love fishing and have been there several time for fishing. These people are great fishermen and have been my gurus.