The Opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Sunday sought the government’s resignation over the anti-CAA agitation and said their peace rallies were only creating “unrest” and “conflict”.
“The BJP came to power to protect the jati, mati, bheti, and bhaxa of Assam. But on the contrary they are doing exactly the opposite. They have already sold the land of Assam by including it in the India-Bangladesh land-swap deal. Now, they are trying to destroy the language and culture by the new legislation which will pose a threat to the identity of Assamese people if the Centre rolls out the red carpet to welcome Bangladeshi Hindus,” AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam said here.
Islam said the government totally ignored the concerns expressed by the people of the state on the amended citizenship act and brought in a law which is dangerous for the people of Assam.
“Assam was peaceful and healthy before the bill passed. Why is the BJP arranging peace rallies now? Who brought unrest? Who killed the innocent student and protesters? Assam rejects violence, they are protesting democratically. But BJP is just misleading and passing political statements. The government failed to understand the voice of people and they should immediately resign,” Islam said.
Islam also said why has no action been taken against BJP MLAs Shiladitya Dev, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Mrinal Saikia who are openly making communal remarks.
“BJP leaders are targeting a particular community in the peace rallies and trying to create a division in the larger Assamese society. Why does Assam need a peace rally when everyone is protesting peacefully? BJP leaders are bringing disturbances in the state through their pro-CAA peace rally and by passing communal hatred remarks. They are trying to create a confrontation. They have crossed all the limits of division,” Islam said.
Assam has been on the boil for the past several days as thousands of people have come out on the streets to protest against the amended citizenship act which resulted in the death of five persons in alleged firing by security forces.
“The protest is against the divisive act which nullifies the Assam Accord, violates article 14 of the Constitution and also destroys its basic structure. Before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to send illegal immigrants back to Bangladesh by May 16, 2014. But the same Modi-led government is bringing illegal immigrants by violating the accord. This government is not in favour of Assam’s interests but only in listening to Nagpur,” Islam said.
AIUDF referred to the cabinet decisions as “lollipop” and nothing but tactics to divert attention from the ongoing anti-CAA protest.
“We object to the cabinet decision of introducing a bill in next session of Assembly for protection of land rights of indigenous people of Assam. Who are indigenous? There is no definition of indigenous in Assam as well in India. How can the government detect indigenous people?” Islam asked.