Retain Assamese As State language Forever: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)

* Will not accept the older version of CAB: Kalita

* Shah to hold CAB talks with AASU, AJYCP on December 3

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has demanded the Centre to retain the Assamese language as the official language of the State forever.

The AGP raised its demand before Union Home Minister Amit Shah during its meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. The meeting discussed about the Centre’s move to table a new version of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) in the Parliament during the ongoing winter session.

A high-level delegation of AGP led by party president Atul Bora which met Shah on Saturday, reached the city on Sunday. Bora told reporters here that his party had categorically told Shah to retain Assamese as the State language forever. Quoting Shah, Bora said the Centre will accept all recommendations of the high-powered committee on Clause 6 of Assam Accord to pave the way for constitutional safeguard of indigenous people of the State.

“We have also demanded the Centre to reserve 100 out of 126 Assembly seats and all 14 Lok Sabha seats for indigenous people,” Bora said. He said the AGP will express its views once the Centre tables the new version of CAB.

AGP general secretary Kamala Kanta Kalita said the party has clearly told the Home Minister that it will not accept the older version of CAB. He, however, said the Centre is determined to bring the CAB.

On other hand, former Chief Minister and founder AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is still holding to his position to oppose the CAB tooth and nail. He said there is still time for the AGP to strongly oppose the CAB since it will violate the Assam Accord.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah will hold discussions with the AASU and AJYCP in New Delhi on December 3 on the issue of CAB.

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