Jamiat Ulema E Hind says it is opposed to treating foreigners issue in Assam on religious lines

GUWAHATI: Jamiat Ulema E Hind (JUEH) national president Maulana Arshad Madani on Friday said that his organisation will continue opposing BJP for treating the foreigners’ issue of Assam on religious lines.

Madani was referring to providing citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh in India.

Madani said, “Allowing citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh is against the spirit of Assam accord.”

Assam accord was signed after six yearlong anti-foreigners’ movement (1979-1985). In Assam apprehension are being raised that giving citizenship rights to Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh will adversely affect the culture, language and tradition of Assam.

BJP led government in Assam is facing stiff resistance over Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The bill proposes to give citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh.

Madani said, “BJP sees Muslims even if they are genuine Indian citizens with suspicion of being foreigners. By allowing foreigners belonging to certain religion to become citizens, it will pose threat to language and culture of Assam. We will continue to oppose this policy of BJP because this policy is wrong.’

Attacking BJP, he said, “This country is ours. We are integral part of India and we always aspire to live in harmony with majority and minority communities."