Assam Singer Manas Robin Opposes Bihu Celebration Planned by BJP, Heckled by Saffron Workers

Demow, March 14, 2020:

Assam singer and anti-CAA activist Manas Robin reached Demow in Assam to oppose the BJP's plans to organize Bihu in Assam. The BJP had organized Bihu functions on 11th, 12th and 13th of Bohag, the month in which Bihu is held. Robin was, however, confronted by local BJP supporters who heckled the singing star for his opposition to its scheduled programme. When Robin was trying to hang up a banner decrying the BJP's alleged attempt to "saffronize" the Bihu amid ongoing protests against the controversial amendment of the Citizenship Act, the saffron party's workers took affront and confronted the popular singer who has lately turned activist to oppose the recent policies of the BJP-led Government.

"We respect you, please respect us also. We are not calling you a foreigner. We respect you a lot. We will stand with you if you organize this function in a proper way. You are a singer, please maintain the dignity," said one of the BJP workers, urging Robin to step down.

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He also held his own separate function in the same spot right where a scuffle had taken place after the heated argument with the local (BJP) leaders. He waited for the crowd to increase before getting lost in music, and conveyed his message to the public of Demow.

While addressing the public of Demow, he said, "we have not come here with some political intention. I just came here because I came across a banner. BJP has organized Bihu", he said, and said that there should not be a saffronization of the Bihu, which is an integral and indispensable part of the culture and spirit of the indigenous Assamese.

BJP leaders stormed in and shouted slogans against the singer even before he could complete his speech and program. He requested them to let him finish his speech.

"I came here because our MLA Kushal Deori is a Nationalist. He was a member of the Hongjukto bahini. He had come forward to fight for the Assamese. He had also won independently from thoura constituency. Public is there with him. He is people's person. If Bihu is organized under his leadership, there's no issue. But if BJP or any other political party organizes Bihu, tomorrow Congress will also organize. Bihu should not be politicized", appealed Robin, despite being partially drowned out by the din created by the BJP brigade that had congregated to thwart him from speaking out.

Robin, and others of his ilk, have been vehemently opposing the CAA on the public forum, and the star has also appealed the people to come together and fight unitedly against it. Recently, the popular Assamese singer also raised calls for the release of physically sick Akhil Gogoi, a popular RTI activist who has been incarcerated for alleged links to maoists. Robin demanded that Akhil be accorded proper treatment due to his failing health in the lock-up. Later, after being released, Gogoi decried the facilities in the jail and lamented that the inmates of the jail are being fed sub-par food which adds to their conundrum inside the jail.

Robin has also taken his anti-CAA protest to the notice of the local administration. In February, while the Filmfare awards were being held in Guwahati, he reached the airport and sought to garner the support of Bollywood to fight the CAA.

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