GUWAHATI: Assam witnessed fresh protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) on Thursday after the Centre extended the controversial law’s cut-off date.
Previously, non-Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, who came to India until 31 December 2014, were eligible for Indian citizenship under CAA. The date has now been extended until 31 December 2024.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and “Assam Sanmilita Morcha” staged protests, slamming the Centre for “burdening” Assam with more illegal immigrants.
“Back in 2019, when CAA was imposed, we feared its cut-off date could be extended. It has now become a reality. But the indigenous people of Assam have continued to stand against CAA and they will never accept it,” AASU president Utpal Sarma said.
The student organisation demanded the implementation of all clauses of the historic Assam Accord of 1985, sealing of the India–Bangladesh border, and detection and deportation of all illegal immigrants.
Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of the political party Assam Jatiya Parishad, which spearheaded the protest by Assam Sanmilita Morcha, alleged that the Centre had conspired to finish the people of Assam politically and destroy the state economically, culturally and socially.
“Assam was already burdened with foreigners. They (the Centre) have now decided to burden it with more foreigners. However, people would put up a fight against this conspiracy of Delhi,” Gogoi said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma downplayed CAA, saying that altogether 12 people had applied but only three of them were granted citizenship.
“CAA has no impact on Assam. Five persons were killed (during anti-CAA protests) but only three persons have been granted citizenship. This proves that the (anti-CAA) agitation was not based on logic,” the chief minister told the media on Thursday.
According to him, Bengali Hindu people are often seen with suspicion, but they migrated before 1971. “Bengali Hindus living in Assam came before 1971, so there is no need for them to apply for citizenship,” he added.
CAA comes in conflict with the Assam Accord, which states that illegal migrants – irrespective of religious faith – who arrived after 24 March 1971 are to be detected and deported.