Guwahati: A wave of jubilation swept through Assam and other northeastern states, in ferment for the last few weeks, after the hugely divisive Citizenship Bill could not be tabled in the Rajya Sabha and was destined to die a natural death with the expiry of the term of the current Lok Sabha on June 3.
Celebrations erupted across Assam with opponents of the bill bursting crackers, distributing sweets and breaking into frenzied dancing on the streets.
Leaders of the AGP, AASU, KMSS, AJYCP—all antagonists of the Citizenship (amendment) Bill, 2019, claimed the Centre’s failure to pass the legislation in the Rajya Sabha was a victory of democracy and of the people of Assam and the northeast over “communal” forces.
“Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma hai, hai,” they chanted, as fireworks reverberated in cities, towns and villages of Assam.
As the news of the inevitable expiry of the bill reached Manipur, curfew was lifted in state capital Imphal. The restive state’s capital city was under curfew since Tuesday, but furious protesters were on the streets overnight, clashing with police. Curfew was lifted this afternoon following improvement in the law and order situation, District Magistrate of Imphal West Naorem Praveen Singh said. Mobile internet services will, however, continue to remain suspended for some more time.
Student outfits, socio-cultural organisations and political parties were up in arms against the Centre, claiming granting citizenship to non-Muslims who came to India up to December 31, 2014, would violate the Assam Accord. Under the accord signed in 1985, all illegal immigrants who came after 1971, irrespective of their religion, were to be deported.
Two BJP chief ministers of the northeast — Arunachal Pradesh’s Pema Khandu and Manipur’s Biren Singh — had also opposed the bill, which the prime minister called an “atonement for the wrong that was done during Partition”.
Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, a former Assam chief minister who spearheaded the students’ agitation that resulted in the signing of the Assam accord, warned the Centre against taking the ordinance route to “impose” the new citizenship law.
“Government of India must take note of it and not impose the bill by bringing an ordinance.
Like the government has weapons, the public also has other alternatives,” the AGP leader said. His party had walked out of the NDA over the controversial legislation.
Another former chief minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi of the Congress, branded the development a victory of democracy, of the people of the northeastern region and Assam.
“The BJP wanted to destroy the existence, language, culture and heritage of the indigenous people of Assam and the northeast region,” he said, insisting the bill violated the Indian Constitution.
“They were hoping to get votes in the name of Hindutva. That has been defeated,” he said. (PTI)
