Former Assam chief minister and one of the signatories of Assam Accord Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and others who were a part of the Assam Agitation have appealed everyone to join in the protest rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Mahanta and Co will take out a protest rally on May 30 in Guwahati.
“We have been opposing the bill ever since it was brought. It’s time we all should fight it together. We have already invited AASU (All Assam Students’ Union) to join and move forward against the bill,” said Mahanta addressing a press conference.
The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, which endorses citizenship to non-Muslims from the neighbouring countries who have come here till December 31 of 2014.
He also alleged that some politicians are trying to add political colour in the development by clearing the air that he is never against Bengalis.
“Some political leaders are trying to add colour. The opposition is not against the Bengali people. Even Manik Sarkar and Mamata Banerjee have too opposed the bill. So, it’s not against the Bengali people. We don’t want to bring a religious line in identifying the illegal citizens,” said Mahanta.
Former AGP MP Kumar Deepak Das said that they will take out a protest rally on May 30 in the city towards the Raj Bhawan.
“We have appealed all to join us in the rally. We must give a strong voice against the bill,” said Das.
Assam Andolan Sangrami Mancha (AASM), a platform of Assam agitation veterans of which Mahanta and Das are part, also vowed to go to New Delhi to build a consensus meeting all the political parties before the July session in the parliament.
“Before the July parliament session, we will meet all the representatives of political parties and try to ensure that the bill is not passed,” said Das.
