Guwahati, Assam – Tensions are flaring as the central government’s decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) sparks widespread protests. The move, granting a path to citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries, has ignited opposition across the state.
Opposition Calls for Shutdown in Assam, Faces Backlash:
- A 16-party alliance, the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA), led by Congress, has announced a state-wide shutdown against CAA Implementation.
- This call comes despite a warning from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He stated that parties organizing such protests risk losing their registrations, citing a Guwahati High Court order branding “bandhs” (strikes) illegal.
- UOFA has also received a police notice challenging the shutdown.
Assamese Identity Feels Threatened:
- The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), known for its historic movement against illegal immigration in the 1970s, has vowed to fight the CAA both legally and through protests.
- AASU plans to travel to New Delhi to urge the central government to withdraw the Act.
- The organization, along with 30 indigenous groups, has staged demonstrations by burning copies of the Act and holding rallies across major cities.
- UOFA claims the CAA “will destroy the Assamese community” by jeopardizing their language, culture, and identity.
Political Agenda or Genuine Concerns?
- Akhil Gogoi, an activist-turned-politician, views the implementation as a ploy by the ruling BJP to exploit religious differences and garner votes in upcoming elections.
Security Measures Implemented:
- To maintain order, authorities have deployed additional police forces across the state.
- Police stations are on high alert, and barricades have been erected in sensitive areas that witnessed large protests during the Act’s passing in 2019.
This glimpse into the current situation in Assam piques the reader’s curiosity by highlighting the strong opposition, the potential consequences for the state, and the differing viewpoints surrounding the Act’s implementation. As the narrative unfolds, it provides a comprehensive picture of the unfolding events.
Image from: Wikipedia
