From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI: All Assam Minority Students’ Union has lambasted the BJP-led state government in Assam for being silent on Hojai legislator, Shiladitya Deb and demanded immediate arrest of the MLA “who has been trying to spark a communal clash in the state by making irresponsible statements.”
AAMSU president, Rejaul Karim Sarkar, who had during a rally in Barpeta yesterday, termed Deb “mentally challenged” in reference to the MLA’s comment on the recent ULFA-triggered blast in Guwahati, said BJP should take immediate action against him.
“Deb had commented on the ULFA blast in Guwahati in the run-up to Durga Puja by questioning whether the outfit could do the same during Eid in places like Dhubri, Goalpara and Barpeta (where there is sizeable Muslim population). Such a loose statement will only spark tension and even invite communal violence,” Sarkar told The Shillong Times on Wednesday.
The AAMSU leader also questioned the state government’s sincerity as to how it could remain a silent spectator to Deb who has been a “repeat offender” in regard to making provocative and irresponsible statements with an attempt to incite communal violence.
“What can we interpret here? Is Deb only toeing the party line and speaking on behalf of the party, which is why he is getting away too easily and frequently?,” Sarkar asked.
The students union has taken a firm stand against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which seeks to give refuge to persecuted Hindu Bangladeshis in Assam.
“It is because of this stand and our support to the Assam Accord that the BJP and people like Shiladitya, are trying their best to create communal strife,” Sarkar observed.
He further alleged that BJP is eyeing political gain keeping in mind the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by allowing an MLA like Deb to utter whatever comes to his mind to create a rift and divide the Hindus and Muslims in Assam who have been living in harmony all these decades.”
The AAMSU leader said that he had communicated with the state DGP on the matter a month and a half back and had even filed a case against Deb at Barpeta police station. “Yet nothing has been done or any action initaited against the MLA, which is what concerns us,” he said.”