SHILLONG: Joining the chorus in opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), the Meghalaya Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mukul Sangma said the Bill would create a sense of alienation amongst the people of North Eastern Region (NER).
The CLP on Sunday held a meeting to discuss about the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) which he asserted had created a kind of vitiated environment by BJP-led NDA government with their “anti-people decision”to proceed with the proposed amendment to the Citizen’s Act.
He said anger and frustration was precursors to chaos and disharmony and that did not augur well for the integration of the nation.
“We as policy makers must look at the fall-out of every decision. If any policy is going to have this kind of vitiated environment created, it will further create the sense of alienation amongst the people of this region. It will ultimately be a reason for the future disintegration of the nation,” he said.
Stating that the North Eastern states are the frontier states that also insulate the national security, he said the Center must not ignore North East that has international borders.
He pointed out that anti-national forces had made inroads into NER who are engaged in anti-national campaign.
According to Sangma, the NER states have withstood the test of time and restored peace and ensured stability and contributed to the integration of the nation.
“This people do not love their nation and come up with anti-people policy which is not acceptable by people. This is time for everyone to take a call. Do we want to allow and be a silent spectator to what is going to happen? We know what will happen if this Bill is passed in the Parliament let us anticipate,” he said.
He questioned the necessity in bringing in the CAB and that threatens the nation and the communities.
“Don’t they know the history, the culmination of Assam Accord and what was happening prior to Assam Accord, how many people have died ?How the turmoil vitiated the whole environment in the North East and the result is that we were left behind. They tend to say that North East is not being able to catch up with the rest of the nation. We have paid the price post partition,” Sangma remarked.
Asserting that it is the bankruptcy of knowledge about the huge diversity of the nation, he slammed Center and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not knowing about the intricacies of the diversity of the India.
Sangma said the move to go ahead with passing the CAB is anti-national and anti-people decisions which are taken for their sheer political- personal gain.
“Whoever loves the country should resist from participating and supporting this move of Narendra Modi. BJP is desperate to remain in power. It is desperate to grab power. They are using, abusing, misusing,” he added.
Speaking about vote bank politics, he claimed that Congress never played vote-bank politics as it has pro-people agenda.
“Congress has an agenda which drew the support and natural reaction of the people and electorates to support Congress because of its agenda and policies. It is pro-people agenda, BJP is trying to dislocate his harmony,” he said.
Further, Sangma said the situation would not only be confined to NER as he pointed out another apprehension when countries of the world would also find a reason to push migrants to India.
The region
Sangma took the opportunity to urge the regional parties to scrutinize and audit the intent and agenda of BJP and its allies.
“If regional parties say they are there for the interest of the indigenous people, it is time for them to scrutinize and audit the intent and agenda of BJP and their comrades,” he said.
He expressed dismay at the statements of people allied with the BJP and made a mention of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
“I am amused by the statement of Sonowal who said he will protect. Can he dictate terms to Narendra Modi who is taking the decision there, and Sonowal is saying “don’t worry,” what is this tamasha?. He should resign from BJP and quit his post,” he said.
Stating that Sonowal started his innings at All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Sangma said, “He has position himself in a manner that he can be reckoning in political spectrum of the region. In the name of protecting the interest of indigenous communities of the people, now this people have become Judas. He must resign and not be party to the anti-people decision.”
Similarly, he urged the people in other states of North East to be committed to protect the interest of the people and draw a judgment and take further steps.