Syeda Hameed, a former member of the Planning Commission and recipient of one of the highest civilian award— the Padma Shri, faced backlash on social media for her recent statements defending the rights of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam.
This comes after Syeda Hameed made a passionate appeal for humanity and constitutional values and voiced strong concerns over the treatment of alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and the broader Muslim community in India.
“What is wrong with being Bangladeshi? They are human beings too. The world is vast, and they also have rights. Why are we depriving them of those rights? This is troublesome, extremely mischievous, and detrimental to humanity,” Sayeeda said while speaking to reporters.
Hameed, who resides in Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia area, drew attention to what she described as widespread discrimination and stated, “This is happening here in Jamia as well, where Muslims are being targeted. It feels like Qayamat (doomsday) for Muslims.”
“We are here for Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of all religions. We must all stand together to protect the composite culture of our country. What we are witnessing is qatl-e-aam (mass killing), and neither Allah nor Bhagwan would ever approve of such inhumanity,” she added.
Several users on X took sharp digs at Hameed, accusing her of placing identity politics over national interest.
“Syeda Hameed, a former Planning Commission member appointed by Sonia Gandhi, is now openly advocating for the rights of illegal Bangladeshis in Assam. Yes, you heard that right—rights of illegal Bangladeshis,” wrote one of the users on X.
While another user posted and said, “Daughter of Padma Bhushan Khwaja Ghulam Sayyeddin, Education Secretary to the first Education Minister Maulana Azad,Syeda Hamid became secretary in Indira Gandhi’s PMO. Received Padma Shri and was a member of the Planning Commission. This is the name of the disease that Congress is suffering from. Slippage on the question of ‘Who is greater among religion and country?”
Following this, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday also sharply criticised activist and former Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed over her remarks suggesting that Bangladeshis can live in India.
Rijiju accused her of misleading people in the “name of humanity” and suggested she should not support illegal migrants.
In a post on X, Rijiju shared her video and said, “Misleading in the name of humanity. It’s about our land and identity. Why the minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Bangladesh and Pakistan are persecuted & tortured? Sayeda Hameed may be closest to Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi, but shouldn’t support illegal migrants.”
Hameed, the daughter of Padma Bhushan Khwaja Ghulam Sayyeddin—who served as Education Secretary to India’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad—has held influential positions, including secretary in Indira Gandhi’s Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile, in a crackdown on the illegal Bangladeshi migrants, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted, “Alert eyes, swift action 36 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators have been pushed back to Bangladesh from Sribhumi and South Salmara. These illegal infiltrators change our demography and infringe upon the rights of the indigenous and will be pushed back to where they belong.”
Notably, the BJP leaders have raised their concerns multiple times over the “rising” population of “illegal immigrants” primarily from Bangladesh to the northeastern states of the country.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the increasing population of illegal immigrants in the country is a matter of concern, and to tackle the danger, he has proposed a demographic mission, which will begin its work shortly.