Assam: AASU Resolves to Intensify Protest against Citizenship Bill

Guwahati, December 5, 2019:

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU), after an executive meeting on Thursday, has resolved to 'intensify' protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

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AASU's Chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said that "The BJP wants illegal Bangladeshi votebanks, and thus, are trying to give citizenship to illegal migrant". The student leader further asserted that Clause 6 of the Assam accord specifies that only the people who migrated Assam between 1951 to 1971 can be accepted, and not beyond that. "The BJP government should not manipulate this", he said.

Chastising the Central Government, the student body's General Secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi argued that the Bill is communal in nature. "They (the BJP) have a clear communal agenda to communalise on the basis of Hindu and Muslim", Lurin said, adding that the Centre is not accepting the 'resentment' of the common people. "Therefore, we cannot accept the "undemocratic" move of the Central Government", he said.

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After the executive meeting, Lurin has announced that the AASU has decided to 'intensify' the protests against the Bill, and added that the student community is united in the protests against the Bill. Lurin also added that the NESO, as well as its components will oppose the Bill at any cost.

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Adding that the situation in the state could spiral further out of control, the AASU leader stated that if the people feel threatened enough, a situation like 1983 could ensue. "It is a question of identity, and the Assamese culture has already been marginalized. Our culture, civilization, and political rights are under threat due to the influx, and we have the right to self determination", Lurin stated.

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