Washington: The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) has raised alarms over the worsening conditions of over 10 million Muslims in Assam, a northeastern state of India. Concerns have surged following an investigative documentary by Middle East Monitor, which depicts a humanitarian crisis driven by discriminatory policies and systemic persecution.

The documentary reveals widespread targeting of Muslims in Assam through illegal mass arrests and demolitions of homes, mosques, and madrasas. There have been reports of mistreatment and abuse in detention centers, reflecting a pattern of religious persecution. The IAMC statement highlighted the use of laws to marginalize the community.

The situation has been exacerbated by statements from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who labels Muslims as “infiltrators” from Bangladesh. His rhetoric is seen as fueling Islamophobia and legitimizing state-led repression. The documentary also examines the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), policies that have left many Muslims stateless.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently recommended designating India as a Country of Particular Concern due to ongoing human rights violations. This marks the sixth consecutive year of such recommendations, citing a decline in religious freedom.

IAMC’s Executive Director, Rasheed Ahmed, emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling on the international community to address the erosion of human rights in Assam. The crisis serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by state-sponsored bigotry.