Protestors carry Gamusas as agitation against Citizenship Bill continue to intensify

Guwahati, January 10, 2019:

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi took to the streets today for the third consecutive day of passing the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Lok Sabha to oppose and protest against the implementation of the Bill.

More than 100 people from around 70 organizations including KMSS today protested in Dispur, Guwahati as protesters held the Asomiya Gamusa high to remind the BJP government of the struggle of Asomiya people and the roots they belong to, which is now in grave danger due to the Citizenship Bill.

The Gamusa, which reflects Assam’s culture and heritage, took center stage today outside the Secretariat as Akhil Gogoi made sure that the voices and concerns of Assamese people were heard loud and clear. The fight has been carried out for months and bringing out the Gamusas at this phase of difficult times for the state only highlights the current plight of Assamese people, who have been gripped by fear and anger over the Bill.

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Speaking exclusively to InsideNE, Akhil Gogoi said that the ‘draconian’ Citizenship Bill is unethical and unconstitutional. If this Bill is accepted, the very character of Indian democracy will be finished, he added. Gogoi also said that Assamese people are always against immigration and if this Bill is passed, around 1.90 crore people Bangladesh will only add to Assam’s burden and threaten its identity.

Leading the protest, Gogoi demanded the parliament and the government to scrap the Bill immediately or will have to face the ire of the State. The KMSS leader also warned the government of carrying out an economic blockade in the State. Blaming the present BJP government, Gogoi said that they will not allow PM Narendra Modi or Amit Shah to enter Assam at any cost and won’t even allow CM Sarbananda Sonowal to address any public gathering if the Bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha.

“National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Bill can’t go hand in hand. We would request the government to scrap the Bill and carry out the NRC process properly”, Gogoi concluded.