I never said there was no Bangladeshi in Assam: Gogoi

From a Correspondent

New Delhi, Nov 19: Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday criticized the grilling of several people including Assam based intellectuals following the “hate speech” reportedly deliberated by Jamiat Ulema e Hind chief Maula Arshad Madani.    

“Giving commul statement is not good. At the same time, I also don’t support grilling of all people because of their presence at the Delhi NRC meeting…if the government is so “clear” why they don’t grill Shiladitya,” said Gogoi. Gogoi was talking to a selected group of media in New Delhi. 

He further expressed shock over Arshad Madani’s statement where he quoted Gogoi that there was no Bangladeshi in Assam.  “I never said that there was no Bangladeshi in the state. In fact, I had only initiated the process of updating NRC to identify and detect Bangladeshis. I don’t know why Madani said this,” said Gogoi adding “on the otherhand the incumbent government is trying to protect Bangladeshis.” On Saturday Madani, quoting Gogoi, said that there was no Bangladeshi in Assam. 

He also criticized the government for arresting Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity president Akhil Gogoi under NSA. “He (Akhil Gogoi) also raised his voice during my regime…but we didn’t even think of arresting him under NSA,” said Gogoi.