Assam Grannies Demand Govt to Roll Back 'CAA' at AASU's Women's Protest

Guwahati, December 21, 2019:

Amid the nationwide uproar against the amendment of the Citizenship Act, thousands of women across Assam -- in a unique show of 'girl power' -- have congregated on Saturday to raise their express their distaste, in unison, against the contentious legislation.

Jamuna Bala Dutta, an 86-year-old aaita (grandma), had the following words of caution for the Government, "We will oppose the CAA. Because, we have burdened ourselves for way too long. Will they impose everybody on Assam? We will not accept it. We have come out, because we must protect our coming generations. We are even prepared to lay down our lives. The Government must scrap this Act. They must listen to the Assamese."

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Another aaita, 85-year-old Sarmistha Siddhanta, who actively participated in the Assam Agitation "It is not fair to discriminate on the basis of religion. The people who are eligible for citizenship should get it. We are opposed to the discrimination on the basis of religion", said Siddhanta.

73-year-old Aruna Goswami also said that she will fight the Bill-turned-Act until it is scrapped. "Women power has awoken. Freedom fighter Kanaklata has awoken", said the septuagenarian.

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It may be mentioned here that women from all walks of life -- irrespective of age, profession, or religion -- are staging protests against the CAA all over the state.

Chants of "Joi Aai Axom" raised by the daughters is echoing everywhere -- Dibrigarh, Sibsagar, Kamrup -- as the women have taken to the streets in great numbers demanding the Government to roll back the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act.

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Meanwhile, the fire against the Bill, has spread to several corners of the country, with places such as the Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and national capital New Delhi witnessing sustained protests. In the ensuing clashes between protesters and security personnel in Lucknow itself -- at least 11 people have been killed.

In New Delhi, the student community continues to fill the streets with slogans against the Bill, even as the Central Government continues its crackdown against dissenters. Delhi Police on Saturday arrested 15 persons in connection with Friday’s Darya Ganj violence where a police vehicle was set ablaze, and detained five others in connection with the clashes that took place in East Delhi’s Seemapuri area.

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