Guwahati/Silchar: Reacting strongly on the legitimacy of today's Bandh called by over 60 organizations opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Silchar MP Sushmita Dev stated ‘Bandh’ to be just a public sentiment.
Speaking to media, MP Sushmita said, “If the people of Cachar are not supporting it, I am also not supporting it either."
She also stated that in some cases, the opinion of my own people is more important for me than a section of my party members, even if the Assam Pradesh Congress is in favour of the Bandh.
It may be mentioned that she is also a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Also commenting about the JPC's Stand on this protest, she added, "JPC has nothing to do with any such protest".
On the other hand, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting which was scheduled at around 11 am in New Delhi today was postponed till 3 pm.
As per reports, the meeting will be held between the JPC and representatives of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and External Affairs Ministry to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955.
The Bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship.