All Assam Students Union has threatened to intensify stir against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

GUWAHATI: With Joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill expected to submit its report by winter session of parliament, All Assam Students Union (Aasu) has threatened to intensify stir against the bill.

Aasu stated that JPC headed by BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal is biased and is acting at the behest of government.

Aasu adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya said, “This bill is a conspiracy of state and centre government. People of Assam gave BJP seven seats in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and massive mandate in 2016 assembly polls however government has betrayed the people of Assam.”


Aasu stated BJP will get befitting reply in the polls.

Bhattacharya said that in May this year JPC visited Assam, chairman assured that JPC will come back to Assam to hear from the people. “ This bill aimed at frustrating the on-going updation of National Register of Citizens (NRC).”

JPC only visited Guwahati and Silchar in Barak valley during its last visit.

CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim told media persons that the JPC should have visited Assam for the second time to take submissions. There is the need for the Committee to talk to the people of Assam and Tripura. “However, the JPC has to take a final call in this regard, he said. “But now, the government wants to bring the Bill.”

JPC on Tuesday held meeting in New Delhi. The three ministries including Home Affairs, External Affairs and Law and Justice did not make any submission instead took down the questions asked by the Members.

Congress MPs in the JPC from Assam suggested that North-East should be kept out of the purview of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.

The bill aimed at making minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for applying for Indian citizenship is under the consideration of Joint parliamentary committee of both the Houses.