It's the victory of the ethnic and indigenous people of the Northeast: AASU

Guwahati: After the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill lapsed, on the last sitting of the 16th Lok Sabha session, as it was not cleared by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) General Secretary, Lurinjyoti Gogoi claimed it to be a victory of the indigenous people of the state.

He further mentioned that the continuous and united fight by the people of the state has finally brought us victory today.

Speaking to The Sentinel Digital, Gogoi said, “The fight led by the AASU along with the 30 other organisations did play a huge role in it. We have fought for our rights of the people of the North-eastern people. In the meantime, we have also learned that people have to come up against all odds to fight for their rights, it has been proved today. We thank all the organisations for their protests and constant approach against the Government to scrap the contentious Bill. We would also like to thank all the ethnic and students’ organisations under NESO for standing united against the bill.”

AASU secretary also thanked the political parties of both the National and Regional parties for their approach for political lobbying the matter at the National level in order to scrap the bill. “These Regional political parties had pressurised the Government against the unconstitutional, anti-national bill. I especially extend my gratitude to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for leading the entire NE leader’s team at the National Level, He was also supported by Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh etc…,” said AASU secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi.

It is great to witness that the present Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Prema Khandu had also come forward to express his share of concerns over the consequences of passing the anti-national and unconstitutional bill in the Rajya Sabha, shared Lurinjyoti Gogoi.

We also extend our gratitude to JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for their constant support since the initial stage of our fight against the bill.

AASU secretary also appealed the people to remain aware and cautious so that such kind of situation may not arise again in the future. “I would also urge the people to remain to enlighten about the fact that their many illicit forces who may try to spread communalism in the state, therefore, we must remain cautious and aware,” shared Gogoi.

Also, talking to the media, singing sensation and Assam’s heartthrob Zubeen Garg also stated this victory showed us the power nationalism within the people of the state. “AASU along with all the other organisations had constantly staged their struggle against the bill due to which we witnessed the final conclusion today. I was positive that this bill won’t have passed in the Rajya Sabha session. But, the implementation of the bill would have led to violence in the state,” asserted the singer.

Zubeen also highlighted the fact that due to the ongoing protests and other activities against the bill had left us with losses. Many works were left pending as people were engaged in protests and demonstrations. “Now it’s time for the people of Assam to get back to work, people should stop thinking about the bill and focus more on their respective works,” suggested Zubeen Garg.

Singer Zubeen Garg also appealed to the people of Assam to stand united again if necessary in the future.

Similarly, talking about the Bill, Leader of Opposition, Debabrata Saikia extended his gratitude to the National Congress President of India Rahul Gandhi for his constant support to pressurise the ruling Government in the Rajya Sabha at the ongoing Parliament session in New Delhi. Debabrata Saikia also thanked the regional and civil bodies for their united stand against the bill since the last couple of months.

Due to the constant support by the political bodies and united stand by the opposition at the Rajya Sabha session, the bill lapsed in the last sitting of the session, Debabrata Saikia claimed further.

Speaking in the same vein, Pro-talk ULFA leader, Jiten Dutta claimed extended his gratitude to the people of Assam and further claimed the success behind the victory against the anti-national bill would have not been possible without the struggle movement by various indigenous organisations of the state.

Meanwhile, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President, Atul Bora on Wednesday in a press statement termed the victory to be the ‘Moral Victory’ to the people of Assam.

“This bill would have demolished the ethnicity and existence of the people of Assam if the bill would have been passed. AGP had been constantly opposing this bill as the controversial bill violates the Assam Accord,” said AGP President Atul Bora.

Atul Bora also thanked Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma and Mizoram CM Zoramthanga and other regional party leaders from Northeast for their constant support in staging their dissatisfaction over the bill at the National Level.

Furthermore, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma from Delhi addressing a press conference said that it is indeed a great moment and a very emotional moment especially for the citizens of the Northeast. He also thanked all the political parties, students’ bodies, civil societies, NGOs and other social media platforms for standing together to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.