Assam thunders with clenched fists witnessing the Bajra Ninad (thunder) of the AASU

CITIZENSHIP BILL

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Historic Latasil playground in Guwahati, where the Axom Chatra Xanmilani had been formed some 102 years ago, bore witness to the Bajra Ninad (thunder) of the AASU and 30 other organization leaders with clenched and raised fists on Wednesday.

AASU (All Assam Students’ Union) adviser-in-chief Samujjal Bhattacharya thundered two slogans – Jaati dhongshi nagarikotto songshodhoni bidheyok batil korok (Cancel the Citizenship Amendment Bill spelling disaster for Assam) and Axomot khilonjiar nirnayak bhumika thakibo lagibo (The decisive role of the indigenous people is a must) – with all others backing him up, in chorus.

The playground saw the congregation of leaders and cadres of various organizations and individuals at the call of the AASU and 30 other organizations. Those gathered included the student fraternity, noted intellectuals, artistes, writers, lawyers, singers, senior citizens, journalists and others.

Leaders and cadres of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), the North East Students’ Organization (NESO), the AXX, the SAKP among others made the congregation a sea of humanity.

Addressing the gathering, Samujjal Bhattacharya said: “Spies of Dispur and Delhi are among us. We need to make them hear the deafening thunder of the indigenous people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to make public the list of Bangladeshi Hindus who have entered India. In the recently held parliamentary election in Bangladesh, as many as 18 Hindus came out winner.

What a formula of sorts – to save the nation with Hindus from Bangladesh! We don’t need such a ridiculous formula. The Citizenship Bill has no date, nor year. Does it mean Hindus entering India at anytime is to get Indian citizenship? Our stand is – all those who entered Assam after 1971 will have to be deported.”

Hitting out at some leaders of Assam, Bhattacharya said: “All those who have been critical of the Assam Accord now did support it sometime back. We’ve a glaring example of Tripura to take cue from – where around 12 lakh Tripuris have been struggling for their survival among 40 lakh population in the State. We’ll avail constitutional safeguard, but not by allowing Bangladeshis to stay put in Assam. We need to be vigilant so that no one can give our agitation a communal colour. ‘Jagile Asom bachibo desh, nohole hobo Bangladesh (We can save Assam only if we’re awake, if not it will be another Bangladesh).”

Bhattacharya further said: “There has been change of guards at Delhi, but there’s no change in attitude and approach. Both Dispur and Delhi are protectors of Bangladeshis. They’re betrayers. If the agitations which Sonowal staged as AASU president and what he said at that time were wrong, let him tender an apology before the people of Assam. We want to get our message across that Dispur’s suppression on students and indigenous people of the State won’t be tolerated. The government can be toppled in no time.”

Bhattacharya ended his fiery speech with the Bajra ninad that was backed up by others in unison.

AASU president Dipanko Kumar Nath said: “The government can’t escape by enforcing this Bill on us. We want to remind the Centre and the State government that the indigenous people are a united lot. If they make any attempt to enforce the Bill, we’re set to root them out.”

AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said: “The conspiracy to spell disaster for Assam is still underway. My clear-cut appeal to all is – Recall your past while making any statement. Sarbananda Sonowal is a black sheep – the Lora Raja of the 21st Century. We need to take a pledge to topple this Lora Raja. In the days ahead BJP leaders and cadres won’t be allowed to move freely in the State.”

NESO chairperson Samuel Jerwa said: “We need to protect our next generation as this Bill is set to make the indigenous people minority in the Northeast.”

NESO secretary general Sinam Prakash said: “The BJP has gone mad. They think only politics, and have chalked out a policy to reduce the indigenous people to minority in the Northeast.”

All Bodo Students’ Union president Promod Boro said: “Was voting the BJP to power a wrong step? If not, how can such a Bill be introduced?”

All Assam Tribal Sangha general secretary Aditya Khakhlari said: “If this Bill is not cancelled, a BJP hatao agitation will be launched in all tribal areas of Assam from February 1.”

While former Gauhati University vice-chancellor Amarjyoti Choudhury opposed the Bill by reading out a few staves of poems, singer Mahendra Hazarika opposed it with a song.

Popular singer Zubeen Garg said: “We’ve the right to oppose the Bill. I’m opposing the Bill through my numbers. People form governments and can also break them. We need to teach that lesson to the governments.” He also sang a song – ‘Politics nokoriba bandhu’.

Also read: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal appeals to AASU to play role to implement Clause 6