Dispur’s ‘sedition’ salvo at Hiren Gohain

STAFF REPORTER/IANS

GUWAHATI: In an apparent bid to stifle the protestors against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Dispur on Thursday slapped charges of sedition against noted intellectual Dr. Hiren Gohain for allegedly speaking against the law of the country during a recent public meeting in Guwahati.

The development resulted in immediate and widespread reactions in the State, prompting several organizations and political parties to castigate the ruling BJP for violating people’s fundamental right to freedom of speech.

The Guwahati Police on Thursday registered a suo moto case (No. 15/2019) under Sections 120(B), 121, 123 and 124(A) of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with criminal conspiracy, attempts to wage war against the Government of India, and sedition. The case was registered with the Latasil police station in the city.

Asom Basaok, a platform of prominent intellectuals, writers and journalists, had on Monday observed Dhikkar Divas (Condemnation Day) against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the city. Speaking at a public meeting organized on the occasion, Dr Gohain had said that if the Central government did not pay any heed to the demands of the people of Assam, a demand for independent Assam might spring up.

Sources said the police have collected the video footage of the public meeting and registered a suo moto case based on evidence. The police have also slapped sedition charges against Akhil Gogoi and Manjit Mahanta, who were present at the public meeting.

Various organizations and political parties have come down heavily on the BJP-led State government for sedition charges against Dr Gohain, terming the development as an extreme exposure of the fascist nature of the government. AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjya said the government is trying to subdue the voice of the people. He said the people will give a befitting reply to such act.

“I came to know that a case of sedition has been registered against me. The speech I delivered didn’t appear in the media in full. Only some distorted lines of my speech were published in the media,’ said Gohain.

Also read: Latasil police files secession case against Dr. Hiren Gohain in Guwahati