SHILLONG: The BJP’s decision to introduce the citizenship bill, which the party has mentioned in its poll manifesto, has been denounced by several groups which have called the move “insensitive and insulting to the indigenous people of the North East”.
The BJP, in its manifesto, said it is committed to the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the protection of individuals of religious minority communities from neighbouring countries escaping persecution.
President of Khasi Students’ Union Lambokstarwell Marngar said the word “protection” is a cover for the BJP’s hidden intentions.
He questioned the measure of protection to be taken by the BJP, which is planning to bring Hindu Bangladeshis into the country through CAB.
Stating that KSU will continue to oppose CAB, Marngar said the BJP’s move shows “it respects the Hindu Bangladeshis more than the tribals of the country”.
“This is insulting the sentiments of the people of the northeastern states. The people of the North East are living in fear over the CAB but then the BJP does this which is against the sentiments of the people. It shows that BJP cares more for the Bangladeshis than the tribals in the country,” Marngar said.
The chairman of Confederation of Hynniewtrep Social Organisation (CoHSO), Robertjune Kharjahrin, said, “We condemn the BJP as it is trying to play vote bank politics. We reaffirm to fight against the CAB and we will not accept the bill.”
He questioned the means to protect indigenous people that the BJP has been harping on.
“They (the BJP) are confused. The move to push for the CAB is the intention to wipe out the indigenous people. Protection has no meaning,” Kharjahrin said.
The North East Students’ Organisation, in a statement, said “A foreigner is a foreigner irrespective whether a Muslim or a Hindu.”
NESO has condemned the move saying “it clearly shows that BJP has no regard for the welfare of the microscopic indigenous communities of the North East”.
“NESO would like to send a clear message that it will not allow anyone to put our future generation at risk and the movement is on and will continue for uplift, safeguard, protect from both internal and external aggression,” the NESO said in a written statement.
Convinced that the BJP will go ahead with its intention, Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) member, Angela said, “CAB is one of their blueprints for pushing for a Hindu Rashtra. It is clear; they are pushing their Hindutva agenda.”
She added that every law has been used for the agenda of furthering hatred, which will not be in the interest of the country and it can be dangerous. Asked about the agenda of zero tolerance towards terrorism, she said, “They are the biggest terrorism, right now.”
KHNAM MLA Adelbert Nongrum said the arrival of outsiders along with the growing population in the country is not good.
“What about the people who are already here in the state who are a threat to the tribals,” he said.
Busy with campaigning for independent candidate THS Bonney, Nongrum said the people have to choose the representatives wisely lest the representatives become tools in the hands of BJP.
