AASU threatens mass stir to protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016

GUWAHATI: All Assam Student Union (AASU) has threaten to launch mass movement in the lines of the Assam agitation (1979-85) to thwart NDA government’s proposal of making minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for applying for Indian citizenship.

AASU on Saturday organised public consultation with prominent citizens and intellectuals on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, as introduced in the Lok Sabha, has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee of both the Houses, under the chairmanship of Dr Satyapal Singh for examination and presenting a report to the Parliament.

The meeting has resolved that AASU led delegation will meet Joint parliamentary committee on October 25 and put forward its objections. “Assam accord has legal recognition and any attempt to nullify the same will be opposed tooth and nail,” the meeting resolved.

AASU which is one of the signatory of Assam accord added that small state like Assam has taken the burden of foreigners till 1971. The cut of date for detection and deportation of foreigners is March 25, 1971.

AASU stated, “We will not accept any foreigner post 1971 be it be Hindu or Muslim.”

AASU has announced that it soon announce agaitational programme opposing the bill. The student body however clarified agitation and discussion will go hand in hand.”

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of former chief minister, Tarun Gogoi to examine the entire ramifications of the proposed amendment and submit a report to AICC for formulating the party’s policy on the issue. The committee will submit its report by October 31 this year.

APCC stated that accord was accepted nationally and internationally. APCC alleged that proposed amendment in the Citizenship act is adding communal colour to the social fabric of Assam.

“Congress is extremely concerned on the hasty decision of the BJP government in New Delhi to amend the act which will disturb the age old communal harmony in Assam. This will have long term effect to the identity, culture, economic aspects and other related issues of Assam as well as other states of the country.”