AASU erupts in protest against citizenship for illegal Bangladeshis

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) staged statewide protests today opposing the alleged move to grant Indian citizenship to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. 

The Bongaigaon district unit of AASU led a vociferous demonstration, raising anti-government slogans and igniting tension in the area.

AASU has expressed strong objections to the reported plans to confer citizenship on Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh immigrants from Bangladesh, excluding only religious minorities such as Muslims. The student body alleged that such a move is in direct violation of the Assam Accord and undermines the cultural and demographic identity of Assam.

As part of the protest, AASU activists burned copies of government directives, accusing the Assam government of selectively implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in parts of the state.

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The organisation also questioned the rationale behind issuing directives to only certain districts in Assam — particularly within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and the two hill districts — while claiming that the law does not apply in other northeastern states. 

“If the law is not applicable to the entire region, on what basis has it been selectively implemented in specific districts?” AASU asked, sharply criticising the state government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

AASU warned that intensified statewide agitation will follow if the “arbitrary and dangerous” decision is not withdrawn immediately.