AASU Leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi Commends Assam for not Falling for Centre's "Communal Trap"

Guwahati, March 2, 2020:

Lirunjyoti Gogoi, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leader, who has been at the forefront of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (or CAA) and has been leading rallies across the state talked to Inside Northeast earlier today. Opining on an array of subjects such as the CAA, the Delhi Riots, and Assam's new 'Political Alternative', Lurin also commended the people of the State for not letting communal sentiments seep in.

Here are excerpts from our telephonic interview with the student leader:

So, we have seen the large-scale participation of women in the protests in these protests. What is your take on them? Why do you think they are so passionate about the CAA?

Well, thankfully, we have had lots of women who have supported the movement and everywhere we have gone, we have seen them turn up in great numbers. This is a boon for us, as women power plays a huge role in any movement. However, we have to ensure that the movement is non-violent. People keep speaking about using violence and riots to force the Government's hands. To that, I say that public property does not belong to Modi or Amit Shah. It belongs to me and you. Why destroy? Moreover, the AASU believes that the adversarial forces have to be defeated on a political platform. That will be a comprehensive enforcement of our agenda.

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46 dead in  New Delhi. The protests have taken a communal colour. What is your opinion on that?

That is truly tragic. It should not have happened. The people took the bait. Once the movement turns into a riot, the Government, it seems, wants to give it a communal colour. I have to commend the people of Assam for their maturity in the face of adversity. Whereas the people of Delhi fell into a trap, it seems, Assamese people did not fall for the agenda and the propaganda. They have been fomenting a communal landscape there, but thankfully, people in Assam have not fallen for their communal agenda.

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What is the current status of the AASU-fronted political party in the State that has been touted as an alternative to the BJP?

It will happen. If the people will it, it will happen for sure. We will have public meetings where it will be decided if the people want the AASU to lead them on a political front. The public interactions will be taking place in mid-March. Best not to speak too much till then.

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