UN rights committee flags discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has raised concerns over what it described as racial discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam and has sought detailed responses from the Indian government.

In a letter dated January 19, 2026, addressed to India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, the Committee said it regretted the lack of information provided by India in response to an earlier communication sent in May 2025. That communication sought clarification on allegations linked to the National Register of Citizens process, forced evictions, hate speech, and the use of force by law-enforcement agencies in the state.

While acknowledging India’s response to the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, and the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024, the Committee said the reply did not address core concerns related to the NRC update in Assam.

It flagged reports that Bengali-speaking Muslims were disproportionately excluded from the final NRC list due to procedural irregularities, difficulties in obtaining legacy documents, stricter verification standards, and the classification of residents as “non-original inhabitants”, a term it noted lacks a clear legal definition.

The Committee also expressed concern over the suspension of Foreigners’ Tribunal proceedings during the NRC process, which allegedly prevented individuals marked as doubtful voters from contesting their status. It further cited allegations of systematic forced evictions of Bengali-speaking Muslim families without adequate rehabilitation, a rise in hate speech during the 2024 elections, and claims of violent attacks and excessive use of force by authorities.

Invoking Article 9(1) of the Convention, the Committee has asked India to address these issues in its forthcoming periodic reports.