Hiren Gohain’s forum against CAB seeks clear answer from AGP

Guwahati, January 17, 2019:

Noted Assamese intellectual Hiren Gohain, who has been a staunch opposer of the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has now rapped the AGP leadership for failure to take a concrete stand in regards its alliance with the BJP. Although AGP President Atul Bora has stated that his party has parted ways with the BJP, he has also suggested that doors are open for reconciliation in case the Bill is scrapped.

Bora, after immense pressure in view of the mounting protests against the Bill, had tendered his resignation, along with those of two other AGP ministers, Phanibhushan Choudhury and Keshav Mahanta. But the state government is yet to inform the Raj Bhawan.

The Forum against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill, with Gohain as its chief, released a statement. In the statement, the forum demanded clear stand of the AGP as no concrete solution has been reached regarding the alliance break and no official verdict has been given, despite the AGP announcing that they would break off from the AGP officially.

The body also stated that the AGP must make its intentions clear and expressed their admiration of the BJP ministers who have come out in opposition against the Bill. The forum has also urged the other BJP ministers to reconsider their stance on the Bill.