"Here to Watch Mahatma Gandhi", says Assam Man at Rahul Gandhi Rally, Gets Trolled

Guwahati, December 29, 2019:

Amidst the furor over the Citizenship Amendment Act across Assam, some innocent remarks from a man who allegedly went to see Mahatma Gandhi at a Rahul Gandhi rally in Guwahati, has left the state in splits.

The man, as of yet identified, was approached by a reporter from an Assamese television channel (DY365). Upon being asked about his opinion on the pressing issue of the 'CAA', the man simply says that he was there to see Mahatma Gandhi. Then, the man goes on to repeat again that he is there to see the Mahatma, who will "assure the people."

Here is how the conversation goes:

Reporter: The Citizenship Amendment that you have come to oppose at the Khanapara field, what do you think its ramifications will be?

Assam Man: I have just come here to see...

R: To see what?

AM: Mahatma Gandhi is coming here.

R: What do you think Mahatma Gandhi will do?

AM: He will assure the public..

This amusing video has now made its way to countless mobile sets across Assam, as this excerpt of the conversation has been extensively shared on social media platforms.

While many have trolled the bearded gentleman in the video for this highly embarrassing slip-up, others have hailed him as a hero for diffusing the tensions amid the unrest over the 'CAA'.

It may be mentioned here that the controversy over the 'CAA' is expected to be play a key role in whether the BJP can retain its dominance in Assam. Rahul's one-day visit to Assam yesterday was seen as a clarion call to rally the Congress party's forces ahead of the 2021 elections.

Whereas the BJP, and especially Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, are confident of a landslide victory, the Congress, bolstered by the recent victory in Jhakhand along with its allies, believes it can topple the saffron party.

BJP 'Peace' Rallies Vs 'CAA' Protests:

The BJP is countering the 'CAA' protests with 'peace rallies' of its own, and much of the debate has revolved around which side has the greater numbers. While a BJP MLA, Mrinal Saikia, has claimed that only a lakh people have participated in the 'CAA' protests, Himanta Biswa is often seen egging on the camera persons to pan onto the crowd and show the jam-packed crowds at the BJP gatherings.

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU), however, is not convinced. After a BJP rally in Jagiroad that was packed to the rafters, the student body alleged that the rally supporters had been bussed in from remote areas with the promise of Rs 200-300 as wages.

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