Assam: Debabrata Saikia urges AASU and civil society to oppose CAA

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, sent an open appeal to the AASU and other organizations in the state to vehemently oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which, he claims, is a direct violation of the Assam Accord.

In the letter issued on August 7, Saikia alleged that the BJP-led government, both at the Centre and in Assam, is attempting to subvert the Assam Accord by selectively withdrawing cases from the Foreigners Tribunal and fast-tracking Indian citizenship for certain religious groups from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

“The Chief Minister has directed district commissioners and police officials to withdraw cases against Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis and Jains who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. This is in complete contradiction to the Assam Accord, which sets March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for citizenship,” Saikia said.

He warned that if the directive is enforced, nearly 5 lakh individuals not covered by the Assam Accord may be granted Indian citizenship. Additionally, about 69,500 people already declared as foreigners could also be legitimised.

Saikia urged the AASU and civil society to (i) (i) build strong public opposition to the CAA; (ii) adhere strictly to the Assam Accord’s cut-off date for citizenship; (iii) exclude Assam from the purview of the CAA; and (iv) prevent the distortion of history for political motives.

 Also read: Saikia Urges HC to Take Suo Motu Cognizance of AFRBM Violation

Also Watch: