Won't Allow 'RSS' to Rule Over Assam: Rahul Gandhi in Guwahati

Guwahati, December 28, 2019:

Issuing a warning to the Narendra Modi-led BJP Government, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, stated that the Congress party shall not allow Assam to be run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Bellowing his warning in front of a jam-packed veterinary stadium gathering here today, Gandhi assured, "Assam won't be run by Nagpur - Assam shall not be run by the RSS - it will be run by the people."

Alleging the BJP party's leader Narendra Modi of adopting a 'divide-and-destroy' policy, Gandhi stated that the Indian National Congress will stand in the way of the BJP's designs. "We will not let the BJP destroy the identity and culture of the Northeast", Gandhi assured.

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Calling for peace and amity amid the strife-torn atmosphere in the state in the wake of the protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (or 'CAA'), Gandhi said that the people have to stand united. "Your power lies in your unity", Rahul said, further assuring, "In happiness and in sorrow -- I am with you".

The Gandhi scion further cautioned that the people must shun hatred, which he accused the BJP and its ideological mentors RSS of spreading, and instead embrace peace. "Do not think for a moment that Assam will progress with hatred and anger -- that is impossible. You have to unite under one banner. And you have to warn the BJP leaders -- you have to tell them that you are united...you are one."

Rahul also opined that the very foundation and ethos of Assam in under threat due to the dissemination of hate-mongering by the BJP, and cautioned that the state could be spiraling once again towards violence. "Today, I paid tribute to the martyrs (of the CAA movement), and it saddens me, I am filled with fear -- that Assam will return to violence under the BJP", he expressed.

Recalling the peace-filled teachings of Assam's cultural and ideological teachers, who fostered an atmosphere of understanding and tolerance, Rahul said, " Sankardeva and other mahapurushas of Assam, I have heard of them and their teachings. They laid the foundations of your identity. Assam taught him me about brotherhood, amity, and unity -- these are things I learnt from Assam".

RaGa stated that he cites the example of Assam in other states as a paragon of peace -- "I say look at Assam. Earlier, there was strife. Then, peace was ushered in, paving the way for development."

Blasting the BJP for violating the 'Assam Accord' signed during the rule of his late father, Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul stated that the 'Assam Accord' was a foundation of peace. "The spirit of the Assam Accord should not be broken, The Accord brought peace and fostered love.."

Once again, the Congress leader wagged an accusatory finger at the ruling BJP for the countless deaths in the country during the protests over the CAA. "Wherever the BJP goes, they spread hatred. Protests are on in Assam -- other states are protesting -- why shoot? Why kill?", Rahul demanded.

"The voices of the people are being trampled upon by the BJP. They want to vanquish the youths. That is fundamentally wrong. Love can solve" Rahul voiced.

It may be mentioned here that Gandhi's visit comes amid the furor over the Citizenship Amendment Act in the wake of its passage in the Parliament. The protests against the Bill initially began in Assam, and soon spread like a wildfire to all corners of the nation.

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