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citizenship

ernment is duty-bound to protect the hati scribes a New Delhi based human seekers could apply with the documents
interests of indigenous communities rights activist argued that the proposed of 2012. Otherwise, their turn will come
of Assam. citizenship law amendment would nei- in 2023 in due course, he added.
Strong arguments were put by As- ther change the status quo on ground He even claimed that the Bill is all but
sam’s powerful minister Himanta Biswa nor does it allay long-standing concerns an inducement to Bangladesh, Pakistan
Sarma, where he asserted that the citi- over the issue of refugees. Suhas Chakma, and Afghanistan to accelerate the cleans-
zenship amendment initiatives would who hails from Tripura also added that ing of religious minorities their soil. In-
help the local Assamese population. vociferous support or strident opposition stead of taking up the issue of protection
Expressing serious concern over the to the Bill is actually politically motivated. of persecuted religious minorities with
aggressive mentality of Bangladeshi Asserting that the Bill does not in- Dhaka, Islamabad and Kabul along with
Muslim settlers, Sarma claimed that the troduce any new element whatsoever, the international community includ-
initiative would prevent Assam from Suhas stated that it relates to exempt- ing United Nations, New Delhi is virtu-
becoming another Kashmir. ing religious minorities from Pakistan, ally asking these countries to expel the
Sarma openly suggested that Assa- Afghanistan and Bangladesh from be- remaining minorities.
mese people should support the non-
Muslim asylum seekers from Bangladesh
to safeguard their political, social and
cultural rights in Assam. He also criti-

The tide against the
Union government has
been inspired by the
rising apprehensions
among northeastern
indigenous people
that they might lose
many of their rights
after the citizenship
law is amended

cized the anti-Assam forces (read Naxal/
Leftists) which continue crying against
the amendment bill. In a recent public
debate, Sarma commented, “They want
us to be slaves of a particular civilization • citizens split Not all are happy with the Bill Speaking about a recent protest in
(read Islamic). However, in this civilisa- Aizawl against the Bill, Suhas termed it
tional fight, we must win.” hypocrisy as the Mizoram government
Angers against the initiative were ing defined as illegal immigrant, but the and its civil society were favouring some
reflected on PM Modi’s latest visit to Hindus who came from Pakistan and refugee groups over the other. The gov-
Guwahati when hundreds of activists Afghanistan to settle in India’s western ernment in Aizawl says nothing about
showed him black flags in various parts. part had already been applying for citi- 120000 Chin refugees (from Myanmar)
A day long shut down was also observed zenship and getting it too. there, even though those Chin people
in eastern Assam by different organiza- Similarly, it proposes to reduce the have been enjoying various government
tions. Some youths even protested naked waiting period for submitting application welfare schemes.
in the front of Assam Secretariat. Howev- for citizenship via naturalization from 11
er no visible demonstrations were seen years to 6 years. So it would make no dif- The author is a political commentator
in western and southern parts of Assam ference as those who had come to India from northeast India
on that day. by 2007 can now apply for citizenship.
Meanwhile, interacting with Guwa- If the Bill is duly processed, the asylum letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 28 february 2019 11 www.Tehelka.com