Assam and the 1946 British Plan to Merge with Bangladesh: PM Targets Congress

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently targeted the Congress Party while discussing Assam’s history amid ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh. He referred to a controversial plan by the British in 1946, aimed at merging Assam with what later became East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), a plan that ultimately failed due to strong local opposition.

The 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan
After World War II, the British government sent three cabinet ministers to India on March 24, 1946 under the so-called Cabinet Mission. While officially tasked with preparing India for self-governance, the mission reportedly sought to decide which parts of undivided India would remain in India and which would go to Pakistan. The plan envisioned a three-tier federal structure, with:

1. A central federal union at the top
2. Autonomous provinces at the bottom
3. Groups of provinces in between

Under this proposal, Assam and Bengal were placed in the same group. While the Indian National Congress had theoretical reservations, the Muslim League accepted the plan, raising concerns among Assam’s leadership.

Assam Stood Firm Against the Plan
As soon as the plan became known, Assam’s first Chief Minister, Gopinath Bordoloi, immediately opposed any move to merge Assam with Bengal. He sent Congress leaders Vijaychandra Bhagwati and Mahendra Mohan Choudhury to Mahatma Gandhi, clearly rejecting the plan and demanding that Assam’s opposition be reflected in the Constitution Assembly.

Jawaharlal Nehru Supports Assam’s Stand
Nehru, recognizing the British maneuvering as an attempt to protect Jinnah, also opposed imposing the plan on Assam. In a press conference on July 10, 1946, in Bombay, he remarked:
“It is highly likely that Assam will oppose grouping with Bengal… I can confidently say that Assam will not tolerate any such grouping under any circumstances.”

PM Modi’s Recent Remarks
At a rally in Guwahati, PM Modi accused the Congress of attempting to erase Assam’s identity by collaborating with illegal immigrants. He said:
“When the Muslim League and British authorities were preparing the grounds for India’s partition, Assam was also targeted to be merged with undivided Bengal or East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Congress was ready to be part of this conspiracy.”

Praise for Gopinath Bordoloi
PM Modi lauded Bordoloi for standing against his own party to protect Assam. He said:
“Bordoloi opposed the conspiracy to erase Assam’s identity and saved the state from being divided from India.”
The Prime Minister highlighted Bordoloi’s legacy while inaugurating the nation’s first nature-themed airport named after him and unveiling an 80-foot statue, calling him the guardian of Assam.

Modi also criticized post-independence Congress policies, claiming:
“To expand its vote bank, Congress allowed unchecked immigration in Bengal and Assam. This altered Assam’s demography, led to the loss of forests and lands, and put the state’s security and identity at risk.”