ULFA Threatens Violence if Bollywood Stars brought to Assam to Perform 'Bihu'

Guwahati, March 19, 2020:

Although the movement against the Citizenship Amendment Act has been stalled by the outbreak of the the deadly coronavirus , a United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) rebel has cautioned the Government not to invite stars from Bollywood to perform during Bihu functions. A representative to the rebel outfit has released a video on social media in which he warns that if Bollywood and Bihu are to be mixed this time, many people will lose their lives.

The cadre, pointing out the woeful situation the implementation of the CAA has put the people of Assam in, the cadre points out that the artiste community in the State has boycotted the Government. The cadre also points out that the Government is planning to hold Bihu celebrations with Bollywood celebrations.

The cadre has also warned that if functions with Bollywood stars indeed take place, the militant outfit will be compelled to resort to take up arms against the people "who have stripped the motherland naked."

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This video, reportedly shot at an ULFA camp in the jungles, is now doing the rounds on social media and the unnamed cadre's threat has drawn sharp reaction from the netizens of Assam.

It is to be mentioned here that the armed group has been opposed to the CAA since its inception and Paresh Baruah, the leader of the non-talks faction, in the midst of violent riots, urged the Government not to hurt the young college and university-going students taking part in the andolan against the controversial legislation. This appeal was made amid reports of authorities charging students with batons and water guns. When all was said and done, as many as 5 were reported to have died during the violent agitation in Assam.

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Talking to Inside Northeast, pro-talks ULFA leader Anup Chetia has said that to stop Bollywood in Bihu is not the wish of the insurgent group, but that of the people. "Even the Bihu committees have resolved not to encourage such music and such performances; meanwhile, some people, including some artistes who profess to be against the CAA.

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It may be mentioned here that time and again, as Bihu draws near, the debate of whether Bollywood song-and-dance routines should be performed in the venues comes to the fore. The ULFA has, over the years, weighed in on the Bihu debate and they have been steadfast when it comes to the issue: Bollywood is a big "no-no" when it comes to the Bihu stage. Cadres of the insurgent outfit have also been known to issue threats to the state's foremost Bihu artist, Zubeen Garg, who has a string of Bollywood hits to his name. Zubeen has been defiant in his stand against the CAA, however, he has been known to advocate for the inclusion of all kinds of music, including Bollywood Bihu performances.

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