"Here in America, I have followed the controversy about immigration and ethnicity, which has preoccupied many, and which has even divided some, in the conservative camp. In Britain, we too know the consequences of mass immigration in past years. In both our countries, we must recognise the priceless asset of a common language which forges national unity out of the multi-ethnic variety, and so makes democratic debate possible–the more so because the English language is soaked in the values of lib

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sparked controversy by questioning the allegiance of around 1.6 crore people of Bangladeshi origin in the state, who identify proudly as such. In a News18 interview clip, he warned they could create loyalty dilemmas during crises involving India’s vulnerable Chicken Neck corridor, the narrow Siliguri link to the Northeast. Sarma highlighted post-1971 immigration driving demographic shifts, with 40% of Assam’s population having roots there and wielding eco