Delhi and Dispur on Thursday tried to assuage frayed nerves by saying that they were fully committed to safeguarding the interests of the people of Assam and urging them not to get carried away by any “misinformation” campaign.
The statements came as protests spiralled, defying curfew, against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday and the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6. I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I want to assure them no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow”.
In a statement, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal requested the people of Assam “not to get carried away by the misinformation campaign going on in the name of CAB”. He said the campaign was giving fictitious figures by saying that more than one crore people would be granted citizenship and trying to mislead people and create doubts and fear psychosis.
“I, being a son of the soil and a former member of a leading students’ organisation, request you all not to get carried away by such misinformation. Those who indulge in such misinformation campaign do not want the development of our state. The CAB is a national bill and the people of Assam need not be apprehensive of the act,” he said.
“I am aware that you have chosen me as the chief minister of Assam to protect the dignity, language, culture, land rights and interests of the Assamese people. Our government has been working towards this end with full commitment and will continue to do so in the coming days.”
He said the Prime Minister had also made it clear that the Centre was committed to safeguard the prestige & dignity, language, cultural ethos, political and land rights of the people of Assam.
Sonowal said he believed all issues could be solved through amicable discussions and that the people of Assam unequivocally want peace.
Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi said students should not take the law into their hands and must express themselves democratically. “If the student community has any issues against the government, they have every right to agitate but in a peaceful manner,” he said.