Speaking during the 78th Independence Day celebrations after hoisting the Tri-Colour, Sarma stated that indigenous communities have entered a "defensive mode" due to demographic changes, claiming, "We are a minority in 12-13 districts."

Sarma pointed to the problem of illegal immigration, citing that infiltrators first enter Assam and West Bengal before moving on to other states like Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.