• Opposition Parties in Assam seek urgent meeting with PM Modi over CAA implementation

    Regional
    Opposition Parties in Assam seek urgent meeting with PM Modi over CAA implementation
    CAA will put in danger the culture, history, socio-economic condition, social fabric, and identity of the Assamese people.......

    Digital desk: The United Opposition Forum of Assam (UOFA), comprising 16 parties, has urgently sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). In a letter addressed to the PM, signed by Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah and Assam Jatiya Parishad chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi, the opposition highlighted the widespread opposition to the CAA since its introduction in Parliament. 

    “As responsible opposition political parties, we are duty-bound to raise the voices of people. There is a strong perception among the people of Assam, irrespective of caste, creed, and political affiliation, that CAA will put in danger the culture, history, socio-economic condition, social fabric, and identity of the Assamese people,” mentioned in the letter.

    They expressed apprehension that the implementation of the CAA would nullify the historic Assam Accord of 1985, which aimed to detect and deport illegal immigrants who entered Assam after March 25, 1971.
    “We, a delegation from UOFA, deem it very urgent to apprise you of the volatile situation likely to arise in Assam in the coming days in the event of CAA’s implementation and seek your intervention to address this most sensitive issue for which we want an appointment with you at the earliest according to your convenience,” mentioned in the letter.

    It had also submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, saying they would undertake a "democratic mass movement" across the state if the CAA is not repealed. Other organizations have also announced that they will begin protests demanding the repeal of the Act. The UOFA emphasized the urgency of the matter and proposed to meet the PM during his scheduled visit to Assam on March 8–9. 

    In response to the growing anti-CAA sentiment, various organizations, including the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and 30 other groups, have announced plans for protests and demonstrations. These include a statewide bandh and 'gherao' of the state secretariat Janata Bhawan upon the enforcement of the CAA. Additionally, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has suggested seeking redressal through legal means, urging those opposed to the CAA to approach the Supreme Court.