Abdul Matlib Mazumdar joined the Indian National Congress in 1925, marking the beginning of his long political journey. In 1937, he founded the Hailakandi Congress Committee and became its first President, laying the foundation of organized nationalist politics in southern Assam.
Under his leadership, Hailakandi emerged as an important centre of the freedom movement. At his invitation, Subhas Chandra Bose visited Hailakandi in 1939, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1945. These visits significantly strengthened the Congress movement in the region. It is also remembered that Netaji visited Mazumdar’s residence during his trip.
Mazumdar played a key role in mobilising nationalist Muslims in Assam. At the initiative of Netaji Bose, he established contact with Abul Kalam Azad to counter the growing influence of the Muslim League. During Azad’s visit to Shillong, discussions were held with Mazumdar regarding strategies to oppose the ministry led by Sir Syed Mohammad Saadullah.
Countering the Muslim League
Following the 1937 elections, the Muslim League gained significant influence in Muslim-majority areas. To counter this, Mazumdar organised the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind movement in Assam, which had strong support among nationalist Muslims and was aligned with the Congress.
In the crucial 1946 elections, Mazumdar achieved a landmark victory by winning the Muslim-majority Hailakandi seat from the Muslim League. This victory was politically significant, especially at a time when many Congress Muslim candidates, including Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed lost to Muslim League opponents.
His win played a decisive role in weakening the Muslim League’s ambitions to include southern Assam in Pakistan.
Role During Partition and Sylhet Referendum
As the partition of India approached, the Surma Valley (including Sylhet) became a politically sensitive region due to its Muslim-majority population. Mazumdar, along with Basanta Kumar Das, actively campaigned across the valley to raise awareness about the implications of partition.
On 20 February 1947, he inaugurated the Assam Nationalist Muslim Convention at Silchar, followed by another major public meeting on 8 June 1947. These efforts mobilised large sections of nationalist Muslims against partition.
Mazumdar was among the key figures who ensured that the Barak Valley remained part of India. He led a delegation before the Radcliffe Commission, successfully arguing for the retention of parts of Sylhet leading to the inclusion of present-day Shreebhumi(Karimganj) district in India.
