Marginalised Lives in Assamese Literature: Saga of Loss and Longing in Assam’s Chars

The Muslims of East Bengal origin comprise a substantial part of the population of Assam. While their history is marked by many tumultous episodes, their presence is evident in every sphere of Assamese society. Literature is a strong element of a community’s social life and has often reflected on a nationality’s predicaments. Assamese literature have dealt with the issue of alleged illegal immigration and its impact on Assam. This paper is an attempt of looking closely at two such works of literature which engaged with the Muslims of East Bengal origin and their lives in Assam. It looks at their lived experience in Assam and the question of human rights and what migration meant for their question of rights.