There will be mass movement in Assam: AASU on Union Cabinet's clearance to CAB

AASU chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya on Wednesday threatened to launch a "mass peaceful democratic movement" across Assam in the backdrop of the Union Cabinet clearing the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

New Delhi/Assam:With the Union Cabinet on Wednesday clearing the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, thereby paving way for its introduction in the Rajya Sabha, All Assam Students Union's (AASU) chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya threatened to launch a "mass peaceful democratic movement" across the state.

"Throughout Assam, there will be a peaceful democratic movement because the central government has betrayed the people of Assam. Assam Accord is a national commitment, it was a tripartite agreement between the central government, Assam government and the agitators of Assam movement - AASU and AGP, " Bhattacharya told ETV Bharat while protesting against the Bill outside Assam Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"In 1985, the historic Assam Accord was signed, it was declared from the Red Fort, it was laid in the Parliament. All political leaders, including LK Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had welcomed the accord. Now, in 2019, the BJP-led government has said that those who have entered from 1971-2014, including Hindu Bangladeshi's will get citizenship, " the former student leader.

Accusing the government of betraying Assam and it's citizens, Bhattacharya said that it is "an insult to the injury" of the people of Assam.

On AGP, an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party in the state of Assam, not protesting against the Bill this time around, the AASU adviser said, "AGP was formed solely for the purpose of implementing the Assam Accord, so they should stick to their commitment."

When asked if they agitation to the Bill is gaining ground in Assam, Bhattacharya said, "It's a mass movement throughout Assam in all villages and towns. People have expressed their resentment."

"Don't underestimate the people of Assam," threatened a visibly agitated Bhattacharya.
Drawing a parallel between Assam, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir, Bhattacharya said, "we have seen the fate in Tripura, out of 40 lakh population of the state, 12 lakh Tripuris are fighting for their identity. We cannot allow Assam to be second Tripura and second Jammu and Kashmir."

Terming the bill as "communal", Bhattacharya further stated, "In our country, citizenship cannot be decided on the basis of religion. We won't allow communalism in the state of Assam."

Meanwhile, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, requesting him not to introduce the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament as it is "against the interest of people of Assam and the whole country".

The AIUDF has opposed the bill as it will have "severe impact on the socio-economic and political aspects of the country", the letter said.

"We appeal to you to initiate necessary measures so that the bill which goes against the interest of the people of Assam and the whole country, is not brought on the floor of Parliament," it said.

"AIUDF's clear stand is for detection and expulsion of all post-1971 foreigners from Assam irrespective of caste, creed and religion through due process of law," it read further.

The contentious Citizenship (Amendment)Bill seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on grounds of religious persecution.

A bill to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, is likely to be introduced in Parliament in the next two days, sources said.

The Bill was, earlier, passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, 2018.