The writers, artistes and a number of conscious citizens of Assam on Sunday took to streets here in seeking scrapping of controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
They organised a protest meet at Lakhiram Baruah Sadan here before taking out a procession around the Dighalipukhuri tank.
Speaking at the programme Veteran artist Noni Borpujari, “The way people are uniting spontaneously for this cause, I am sure we will be able to get rid of this discriminatory proposal.”
Noted writer Arupa Patangia Kalita said such laws are introduced by the ruling class to divide common people.
“For decades, the ruling class has been enjoying the benefits of dividing people through such tactics. However, by facing such situations time and again, the Assamese society has acquired some kind of maturity. It is heartening to note that this time, people are not falling prey to malicious agenda,” she said.
She further mentioned that despite opposing the Bill tooth and nail, the people of Assam have to have a humane approach towards the people who would be detected as foreigners.
“While protecting our own rights, we cannot develop hatred towards others. When time comes, the government will have to ensure a justifiable deportation or rehabilitation plan for them,” she added.
Dramatist Naren Patgiri asserted that apart from violating the Assam Accord, the Bill also violated certain provisions of the Indian Constitution.
Another artist Kiran Sankar Roy warned the people against the religion-based agenda of the ruling class. “Even if we succeed in our fights against the Bill, the society will have to remain alert against the religion-based politics that is against the secular outlook of this country,” he said.
Eminent poet Sameer Tanti also said if timely action is not taken, in 50 years from now, the Assamese people would become a minority in their own land.
The Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 seeks to allow illegal migrants from the minority communities — Hindu, Christians and Jains — of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan eligible for citizenship after six years of stay in India.