Assam: AASU is now a political party, not an organisation: Himanta Biswa on clause 6 committee report

The State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on a press conference reacted on the latest clause 6 committee report being released by the All Assam Students Union (AASU). In that report, he commented that the report needs to enter the Assembly only to form a proper solution. He also criticised the AASU of creating more complications with the release of the report and called them "a political party and no longer an organisation".

"Assamese rights is Assam Legislative Assembly business and until then the Centre has nothing to do. But, in the meantime we have facilitated delimitation to compliment once these measures are implemented", said Himanta Biswa Sarma.

On the issue of whether those recommendations can be implemented, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "complex recommendations should go to the Supreme Court and they have themselves mentioned in the report that a period of 2 years may be sought to implement the complex recommendations. Clause 6 released report led to more complications and only 12 people views can't be sacrosanct. These will have to be discussed in Assembly"

Also read: Assam: Clause 6 committee defines ‘Who is an Assamese’, AASU makes recommendations public

The Committee had recommended five specific categories to define the ‘Assamese’ keeping in mind the implementation of Clause 6 of the Accord. These categories were – Assamese communities residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any indigenous tribal community residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any other indigenous community residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, all other citizens of India residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951 and descendants of the above categories.

As regards to the issue of 1951 as a cutoff day, Sarma responds by saying, "what will decide the 1951 date. Another NRC or land records? These will have to decided in the Assembly and further".

The High-Level Committee for the implementation of Clause 6 of the historic 1985 Assam Accord has come up with the conclusion that the “definition of Assamese people should consist of Indigenous Tribals as well as other Indigenous communities of Assam over and above indigenous Assamese.” Himanta Biswa Sarma said that "new Assembly should take up the definition of Assamese. Until Assembly doesn't adopt, the Assamese definition cant be taken".

In conclusion, Himanta Biswa said that AASU and the State Government are on the same page. Both desires to implement Clause 6, but as the committee mentioned, it has “complex” recommendations, with constitutional language.

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