Artiste fraternity sings ‘No-to-CAA’ chorus, dances, poetry, mark protest against Act

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The artistes of Assam scripted history at the Assam Engineering Institute (AEI) playground at Chandmari in Guwahati on Sunday when they held – No CAA concert for peace and harmony (Geete-maate protibad) – in the wake of the current unrest in the State. The artistes’ fraternity got their message across that they would never accept the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Bill) and go ahead with their legal battle against the Act.

The unique protest comprising songs, recitation of poetry, painting, acting etc was participated by almost all who’s who of the cultural world in the State.

Speaking at the rally, AASU (All Assam Students’ Union) general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, “We aren’t sacred of the browbeating tactics of the government that is trying to create a reign of terror on the students’ fraternity in the State. I’ve heard that the State government has decided to hold 200 Bihu functions and not inviting the artistes who’ve taken part in this protest.”

To that, all the artistes present their then shouted in unison, and said, “If the government holds 200 Bihu functions and doesn’t invite us, we’ll hold 2,000 such functions and perform.”

Noted singer Zubeen Garg then said, “Let the ministers sing in the 200 Bihu functions which they’re going to hold. We’ll see as to how the audience bears with them.”

Samujjal Bhattacharya said, “We’re going to the Supreme Court of India on our petition against the CAA. From tomorrow, we’re going to hold our three-day agitation against the CAA by holding sit-in demonstrations in front of the offices of deputy commissioners, SDOs and circle officers.”

Jagadish Bhuyan said, “The government cannot enforce the CAA on us. We’ll fight it to the last. We’ll take all legal measures to get the Act abrogated.”

Actress Barsharani Bishoya said, “I abominate the government for its lathi-charge on students. We the Assamese aren’t here to surrender. We can die, but can’t live a subdued life. I’m not going to perform in the forthcoming Bihu as a mark of protest against the killing of a student in Hatigaon in Guwahati. Through acting, she showed as to how the CAA will be fought now.”

Many of the artistes sang patriotic songs against the CAA. Zubeen Garg sang the number ‘Politics nokoriba’ with applause from the audience.

Meanwhile, a student from Cotton University said that the students’ fraternity would raise funds to compensate the next of kin of those killed in police firing, instead of receiving the amounts to be extended by the State government. To this, Zubeen Garg said that he would pay the amount to the family members of the deceased students.

Among others, Pranjal Saikia, Santa Uzir, Bhupen Uzir, JP Das, Malaya Goswami, Madhurima Choudhury, Manash Robin and Bipul Rabha also spoke at the rally.

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