ASSAM: MASS SATYAGRAHA AGAINST CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT BILL), 2016

The state witnessed a Mass Satyagraha against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 organised by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) at Latasil playground, on 29th June. A total of 28 ethnic groups participated in the movement along with AASU. A huge mass gathering took place irrespective of caste, creed and age.

While speaking to InsideNE, AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya stated that the Bill is a serious threat to the indigenous people of Assam, their culture, language and originality. He urged the Chief Minister of Assam to stand along the indigenous people of Assam and to oppose the Bill like the Mizoram and Meghalaya govt.

Lurin Jyoti Gogoi, General Secretary of AASU mentions that enacting the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to provide citizenship on the grounds of religion is anti-democratic and violation of the constitutional principles of the country. Lurin jyoti Gogoi  also stated “ Upgradation of NRC should be done as per the norms of Assam Accord of 25th March 1971 must be implemented and the immigrants who moved into the state after 1971 should be deported.This has no link with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.” The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is violating the Assam Accord and also the directives of the Supreme Court. Inclusion of publication of the NRC in CM’s statement is a political agent to spread communal politics in the region.”

He also added that there is no bilateral treaty signed between India-Bangladesh regarding the deporation issue.