GUWAHATI: The Assam Students United (ASU) has announced a series of demonstrations against the Centre’s plan to implement the contentious Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
The decision was solidified during a crucial meeting convened on the evening of February 29, where representatives of 30 ethnic tribes and student representatives collaborated to chart out the plan of action.
Samudjjal Kumer Bhattacharjee, the chief advisor of ASU, minced no words as he addressed the press, vehemently condemning the Centre’s move to enforce the CAA amidst ongoing legal deliberations in the Supreme Court.
“The decision to implement CAA disregards the ongoing legal battle, especially for Assam, Tripura, and other Northeastern states,” he remarked.
According to the outlined schedule, ASU is poised to kickstart the resistance with a bike rally across all district headquarters on March 4.
Symbolic gestures, such as burning copies of the CAA rules on the day of imposition and paying homage to the five martyrs on March 8, coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to the state.
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Additionally, a 12-hour hunger strike on March 9 and a forthcoming satyagraha across district headquarters highlight the depth of their opposition.
“The timing of CAA implementation is deeply concerning, particularly when the Supreme Court has bifurcated the petitions for separate consideration,” Dr Bhattacharjee said, questioning the rationale behind the Centre’s haste.
The decision to escalate protests comes in response to the Centre’s announcement of expediting CAA implementation before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as divulged by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a recent address in New Delhi on February 11.
The CAA, a legislation passed by Parliament in 2019, has been met with fierce resistance across the Northeast, primarily over apprehensions regarding its ramifications on the region’s demographics and cultural fabric.
The Northeastern states bore witness to widespread demonstrations spearheaded by student and civil bodies in the aftermath of the Act’s passage, culminating in tragic casualties and episodes of violence, notably in Assam.
Meanwhile, the Assam Police is preparing for possible protests by cancelling all police leave effective from March 10.
This decision aligns with the police’s efforts to suppress any potential demonstrations organized by political groups in opposition to the contentious legislation.
