Assam Accord

The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on a plea filed by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

The challenge concerns Clause 3(1)(e) of the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025.

This clause allows persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India without valid documents before 31 December 2024 to stay in Assam.

The petition argues that this provision violates the Assam Accord.

Signed to curb illegal immigration into Assam, mainly from Bangladesh.

Cut-off date: Foreigners entering on or after 25 March 1971 must be identified and deported.

Provided constitutional and legislative safeguards to protect:

• Demographic composition

• Cultural, social, and linguistic identity of Assamese people

Inserted to operationalise the Assam Accord.

Bars citizenship for immigrants who entered Assam after 25 March 1971.

Recognizes migrants entering between 1966 and 1971 but requires conditions before citizenship.

Section 6A was upheld by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in October 2024.

Clause 3(1)(e) of the 2025 Order:

• Extends cut-off date from 24 March 1971 to 31 December 2024.

• Makes the Assam Accord’s cut-off otiose (ineffective).

• Indirectly legalises illegal immigration into Assam after March 1971.

• Violates:

  • The Assam Accord

  • Section 6A

  • Constitutional and statutory protections for Assamese people

Petition argues that Section 6A overrides all other laws currently in force.