“Eke ek ghuspethi ko chun chun kar nikalenge (we will single out and throw away every single intruder from Assam),” said BJP national president Amit Shah while reiterating that the Narendra Modi government is committed to bringing up the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

“Prime Minister Modi will once again move the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, and we will together take it to the far reaches of Assam. We will root out ‘foreigners’ and stop illegal immigration,” said Shah while addressing a rally of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Assam’s Lakhimpur district.

Pointing to the ‘changing demography’ of the state, Amit Shah said that it is utmost necessary to have this Bill to ‘protect Assam’.

“The Bill is essential, keeping in mind the demographic changes witnessed in Assam over the years. The CAB is not just for Assam and Northeast, but for the entire country. It will help safeguard the language, heritage and culture of the state.”

All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) General Secretary, Lurin Jyoti Gogoi said that Shah’s statement exposes the ‘autocratic mindset’ of the government.

“If BJP had any respect for democracy, they would have not kept repeating of their interest to bring about this Bill. Even after failing to table the Bill in Rajya Sabha, they want to forcefully implement it. The Bill lapsing in RS has been a temporary relief, and people of Assam should not celebrate,” said Gogoi.

The AASU is now demanding the withdrawal of the Foreigners’ (Amendment) Order, 2015, the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, and long-term visas to people from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“We now demand withdrawal of these two notifications and the long-term visa plan that already gives protection to illegal foreigners till 2014. The government’s agenda is clear – to polarize people and use illegal migrants as a vote bank,” remarked Gogoi.

BJP President Amit Shah also took a dig at opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) over their decision to oppose Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and severe ties with the party.

“We won autonomous council elections this year. Those that have been opposing the Bill got a befitting reply from the people of Assam. In Panchayat elections too, the opposition had made this (Citizenship Bill) an issue – all other parties including AGP opposed it. The AGP went solo in Panchayat elections and lost. The opposition should realize that people of Assam stand with Modi government.”

On the other hand, Assam Finance Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma exuded the confidence of winning 10-11 seats in the upcoming general elections, while alleging that the students’ union want Assam to go to ‘Non-Assamese’.

“If we are not alert, Assam will soon turn into another Kashmir. Assam’s Satras (seat of Vaishnavite learning) and Namghars are in grave danger. Our culture and heritage are under threat. The AASU doesn’t see that because they want to give away Assam to the non-Assamese,” said Sarma at the BJP youth convention today.

BJP President Amit Shah also took part in a ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony at the new state BJP office in Beltola Chariali, Guwahati.

First Published:Feb 17, 2019 6:18 PM IST