22, Aug 2024 | CJP Team

In a quiet village of Ramraikuti, Assam, lives Ranjina Bibi, a 34-year-old woman who had built her life around her family—her husband, Anowar, and their three children. Ranjina Bibi was married at a young age, and had later enrolled her name in the voter list of Assam after having reached the legal age. Anowar, a Deshi Muslim man, worked tirelessly at a saw mill in West Bengal, all in the hope of providing a better future and education for their children. But this simple dream was shattered when a Reference Case notice arrived at their doorstep, accusing Ranjina of being an illegal immigrant in the land where her ancestors had lived for generations.

The notice was a Reference Case, a terrifying document that Ranjina barely understood. She lay awake at night, haunted by the words she could hardly comprehend. “My father and grandfather were born and died on this land,” she thought, “and their names were in the 1966 voter list. What more proof could they need?”

Who was Ranjina Bibi?

Ranjina was born in Bhalabhut, a village in the Coochbehar district of West Bengal, and later married Anowar, settling in Assam. Her father, Ibrahim Sk, and her grandfather, Tasar Sk, were also born in West Bengal. Their names were present in the voter lists of 1966, and they owned land prior to the year 1971. Yet, none of this seemed to matter to a regime that appeared determined to target minorities, like Ranjina, based on their religion and surname.

Every week, CJP’s dedicated team in Assam, comprising community volunteers, district volunteer motivators, and lawyers, provides vital paralegal support, counseling, and legal aid to many affected by the citizenship crisis in over 24 districts in Assam.  Through our hands-on approach, 12,00,000 people successfully submitted completed NRC forms (2017-2019). We fight Foreigner Tribunal cases monthly at the district level.  Through these concerted efforts, we have achieved an impressive success rate of 20 cases annually, with individuals successfully obtaining their Indian citizenship. This ground level data ensures informed interventions by CJP in our Constitutional Courts. Your support fuels this crucial work. Stand with us for Equal Rights for All #HelpCJPHelpAssam. Donate NOW!

In a state which is being run by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who makes contentious statements by openly labelling Dhubri district of Assam as a “mini-Bangladesh” owing to the presence of Muslim population, it has now become clear that the targeting of marginalised people in Assam is more than just bureaucracy. Rather, it is a deliberate attempt to marginalise and terrorise communities like Ranjina’s. But in the face of this systemic injustice, there was a beacon of hope – Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). CJP has become a lifeline for people like Ranjina, the team has been offering legal support and counselling to those drowning in fear and despair.

The legal battle to prove Ranjina Bibi’s citizenship

CJP reached out to Ranjina and her family, standing by them in their darkest hour. At first, Ranjina was too scared to fight back against the state and the Reference Case notice. She had heard stories of families being dragged into debt and misery by the court battles. But CJP Assam team’s unwavering support gave her the strength to reclaim her courage.

The CJP Assam legal team, led by Advocate Ishkander Azad, meticulously prepared Ranjina’s case. However, the team knew that having the right documents was just the beginning. The main task was presenting the documents in the right way, finding credible witnesses, and convincing the Dhubri Foreigners Tribunal of the merits of the arguments raised on behalf of Rajina Bibi. This was especially challenging for Ranjina, as she was born in a different state, and her father had passed away long ago. Her elderly mother, who could barely move, was her only link to the past. But CJP did not waver. The legal team brought the necessary witnesses, navigated the complex legal maze, and ensured that Ranjina’s voice was heard.

In the end, the efforts of the team paid off as Ranjina’s case was won in the Tribunal itself, and she was no longer at risk of being torn from her family and thrown into a detention centre.

Now, Ranjina spends her days helping her children with their homework, managing her household with a sense of relief she hadn’t known in months. “It feels like a heavy burden has been lifted,” she told the CJP Assam team with tears in her eyes. “I may not have much to give, but I pray that the Almighty blesses CJP for their work. They must never stop fighting for people like us.”

Assam State in charge Nanda Ghosh and Dhubri District Volunteer Motivator Habibul Bepari personally delivering the order copy to Ranjina. In Ranjina’s words, this victory of hers was a testament to the tireless work of CJP’s Assam team.

With this, another “Bibi” (a commonly used surname of Muslim married woman in Assam) was saved from the nightmare of separation from her family. Another wife, mother, sister, and daughter was spared from the cruelty of the state. In a world where justice often seems out of reach, Ranjina’s story is a reminder that with courage, solidarity, and the right support, even the most marginalised voices can triumph.

The complete order can be read below:

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