GUWAHATI: In the midst of opposition to the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, a war of words is slowly buts surely brewing in Assam with a section from the “anti-Bill camp” not mincing words to hit back at the state government for accusing them of attempting to derail the National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process by wooing people to the streets and disrupting law and order.
Assam minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma had on Sunday remarked that the people who sat next to the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Arshad Madani were “dangerous” for Assam, obliquely taking potshots at some intellectuals who were sharing the dais with the Jamiat leader at a recent meeting on the proposed Bill.
Sarma went on to allege that a section was trying to trigger unrest in Assam before the publication and proper scrutiny of the NRC.
The reaction from the minister has provoked Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leader, Akhil Gogoi, to hit back in equal measure, saying that such a verbal attack on intellectuals would not be tolerated and that the minister should “keep quiet”.
“He should keep quiet. Such an insult on Hiren Gohain (one of the intellectuals referred to by Sarma) would not be tolerated,” Akhil told a section of the media.
Warning the people of Assam not to get influenced by this “intellectual group”, Sarma had also said, “People have to be wary of them. The point here is that once the NRC gets derailed, we will not get a second chance. All such discussions/counter questions (on the Bill) can wait and be done later. Therefore, it is my request to citizens and organisations, both social and political, to ensure that a good NRC is published within the next 40 to 42 days.”
Assam BJP president, Ranjit Dass had also criticized the anti-Bill opposition leaders, referring to an “individual” as playing a key role in leading people to hit the streets.
In reaction, the KMSS leader challenged Das for an open debate and to name the person he referred to.
The state government is also facing opposition from within, with MLAs from the coalition itself supporting the anti-Bill movement.
BJP MLA from Dispur, Atul Bora on Monday, made his stand clear against the Bill, saying the party should oppose the proposed legislation to protect the jati, mati and bheti (community, home and hearth) of the indigenous people.
“Everyone is opposing the Bill. I have also written a letter to chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal in this regard. I have the democratic right to speak and feel that I do not need permission to give my views in the interest of the people,” Bora said.
The run up to the JPC’s visit to Assam (from May 7 to 9) and Meghalaya (May 10,11) and thereafter had seen several protests in both the states, with the several organisations, citizens and even a few ministers and MLAs voicing their reservations against the Bill.
Recently, Meghalaya BJP minister, A.L. Hek had spoken out against the Bill.
While Meghalaya has made its stand clear against the Bill, the Assam government is hinting at making its stand clear once the NRC is published by the end of next month.
KMSS has started a mass awareness campaign against the Bill from Sunday. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has launched an 11-day mass signature campaign from Monday.
The North East Students Organisations, comprising eight students’ unions of the region, too have launched a fresh agitation against the proposed legislation from Saturday.