The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union along with student leaders from Cotton University, Dibrugarh University and Gauhati University, on Thursday termed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill as communal and unconstitutional.
Speaking at a function at Gauhati University, JNU Students’ Union president N Sai Balaji said that the controversial bill is ‘communal’ in nature. “The main principle of Modi government is based on lies. Through the lies they gain the trust of people and looted the ordinary public. In the name of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, they are spreading hatred by dividing people in communal line,” he said.
The JNU Students’ Union president was speaking on the topic ‘Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016: Threat to Secular Culture’ organized by Gauhati University Study Circle.
Balaji also criticized the state government and said, “Those who exposing the lies and loots of the current government are targeted and sedition cases are being registered against them.”
“The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will destroy the Constitution of India…it is also against International Law which was mentioned in the Geneva Convention. Why only Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are included? Why not Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal or Bhutan? Is it because Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are Muslim majority countries?” Balaji said.
“Assamese has a secular inclusive legacy. The bill should not be passed. JNU is with you. We are supporting you and collectively will defend so that the bill cannot be passed,” Balaji added.
Various student leaders of Cotton University, Dibrugarh University and Gauhati University were also present at the meeting.
Pranjal Kalita, general secretary, Cotton University Students’ Union said, “Those who are not opposing Citizenship (Amendment) Bill are not Assamese. Some ministers are polarizing the people in the name of religion. The whole Northeast is protesting against the bill and we should continue until it is scrapped.”
Mridul Gogoi, president of Dibrugarh University Students’ Union said, “This bill is a disaster for Assam and Northeast. It is unconstitutional and threat to the identity of Assamese community. It will minimize the importance of NRC (National Register of Citizens) which is under the supervision of Supreme Court of India.”
Gogoi also criticized PM Narendra Modi and said, “During the Lok Sabha election campaign in 2014 Modi promised to deport all Bangladeshis but now he is bringing Bangladeshis to Assam.”
