Republic Day speech of Parimal Suklabaidya: An analysis

Special Correspondent

Silchar: One of the significant aspects of the Republic Day speech of Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister for Forests, Fisheries and Excise, delivered at the police parade ground here was the commitment of his government to implement Clause 6 (A) of Assam Accord in order to safeguard the identity and culture of the indigenous people of the state. With that end in view, a high level committee has been constituted with all stake holders. He particularly reached out to AASU to become a part of the committee and help in giving effect to the implementation. It is more than significant in the sense that ever since the signing of Assam Accord in 1985, no successive governments of Congress and AGP took any step to implement the said Clause.

It is also important to note that AGP which is now most vocal in questioning the sincerity of Sonowal led government on the sensitive issue did never try to implement the Clause though it was in power for long 10 years. Public memory is proverbially short, but it is on record that AGP which was elected to power on the issue of foreigners forgot it after being at the helm of affairs at Dispur. Let alone take any cognizance of the Clause 6 (A). Congress’ hobnobbing with vote bank politics of minority is no secret. The party was in power for 19 years after the signing of the Accord. Was it serious on the issue of implementation?

Parimal Suklabaidya rightly said that there is no reason to doubt the intent and purpose of his government. Another important issue that was touched upon by the minister was related to the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. It was the assurance of the Narendra Modi government to give shelter to the minorities of neighbouring states of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who were the victims of religious persecution. He also took the occasion to point out that the process of NRC update was completed in a peaceful and democratic manner and it was to ensure that no Bangladeshi got his or her name enlisted in the final draft to be published by July 31, 2019.

Without any ambiguity, Parimal Suklabaidya allayed all sense of apprehension from the minds of the indigenous people about the illegal migration from across the border. The successive governments have allowed the Bangladeshis to set their foot on the soil of Assam and exploited to help them in winning the elections. Strict vigilance has been mounted on the borders with the help of BSF to prevent the entry of Rohingyas in the state. It is true that during the BJP led government, there has been virtually no influx of aliens from that side of the border. This has also been possible because of the growing awareness and realization, though belated, among the people that illegally migrants pose threat to the security and integrity of the state, besides upsetting their socio-economic structure.

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