Gohain Sir was misinterpreted, Charges of Sedition are baseless and irrelevant: Manjit Mahanta

Guwahati: Following the suo-moto case against the President of Forum Against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill, Hiren Gohain, Convener Manjit Mahanta, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samitee Leader Akil Gogoi on Thursday, Manjit Mahanta claimed before the press that the suo moto case registered against them was completely baseless and irrelevant.

Speaking before the media, Convener Manjit Mahanta said, "Gohain Sir never appealed anyone for an independent Assam, he rather said that there will be a time when people will come out to speak about 'Sovereign Assam' if the Government constantly force to implement the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, thus, destroying the community of the state," said Manjit Mahanta.

Mahanta also mentioned that our protest is for the sake of the people of the region and protect our community. India's is a secular state, and we as Indians have to protect this quality of the nation claimed Mahanta.

"I myself said the same that there will be a time when people will raise voice 'Sovereign Assam', if such kind of bill like the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 gets implemented, but, never appealed anyone to take up arms or fight for their sovereignty at the public meeting," added Mahanta.

The Government is trying to divert the issue as all the people of Assam and other indigenous organizations had come out in protest against the controversial bill, the forum claimed further.

Similarly, literary critic, poet, Intellectual and President of Forum Against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill, Hiren Gohain told the media, "I am not aware why I was charged for sedition. I also heard that an FIR was lodged against me in Latasil Police Station. On January 7, Forum Against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill and Left Democratic Front jointly organized a public meeting as 'Dhikkar Divas' (Condemnation Day) against the controversial bill. Actually there were many speakers who had expressed their heated statements over 'Sovereign Assam', however, my context was if Centre neglects the genuine and legitimate demands of the state then the matter of 'Sovereign Assam' will come up one day, I further explained that this issue of 'Sovereign Assam' could arise only if and when all other democratic avenues for fulfilling Assam’s demands are exhausted by the centre. We started our agitation keeping in mind the values of the Indian Democratic System."