The war cry of “Ho-ho, Ho-ha” echoed at the public rally at Sualkuchi in Kamrup district on Saturday as the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a public debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Known as the “Manchester of Assam” for its traditional cottage industry of Assam silk, Sualkuchi, the home turf of state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, was chosen categorically by the organisers of the rally to convey the widespread resentment over the bill.
Sualkuchi falls under the Sarma’s Assembly constituency, Jalukbari. Thousands participated in the rally.
The ruling alliance (BJP, AGP, BPF) too will hold a peace rally at Sualkuchi, 30km from here, on Sunday.
AASU chief advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya said, “AASU is ready to debate with Prime Minister Modi over CAA. Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah and any other BJP leader, including chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and local leader Sarma, can join the debate.”
Sarma had earlier dared AASU to a debate on CAA.
Coming down heavily on Sarma, the AASU leader said that the large gathering against CAA in Sarma’s own constituency was a warning to the pro-CAA brigade. “Participation of such a large number of people from Sualkuchi and Jalukabari proved that Sarma has lost ground. From here I want to tell Modi, Shah, Sonowal and Sarma that you might have passed the bill in Parliament but you can’t pass it in the people’s court of Assam,” Bhattacharjya added.
On Saturday, Sarma also faced a huge protest in Tezpur Goraimari by the AASU’s Tezpur anchalik and district unit while on his way to join the memorial function of ex Rangapara MLA Rajen Borthakur who died on December 10. Sarma was also shown black flags. Though Sarma reached the deceased leader’s house by road, he later had to take a chopper to the function, just 6km from Borthakur’s residence, reportedly to avoid the protests. Guwahati MP Queen Oja, too, faced protests on Saturday.
AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, “The state government’s social media cell workers and their ‘bhakts’ are trying to spread misinformation about CAA and demoralize the anti-CAA movement. I want to appeal to the young generation to block, unfriend and unfollow these accounts. Already Himanta Biswa Sarma has lost over two lakh fan following.”
Participating in the rally, Assam’s heartthrob Zubeen Garg dared the BJP to win the 2021 state elections. “You have come to power with lies. But I will also see how many votes BJP gets in next state polls. If necessary, we will form our own political party to fight against them all, including AGP and Congress. We don’t trust any party now,” he said.
AASU, along with the artiste community and indigenous groups, has been regularly holding public rallies against the Act.
On Saturday, the students of Cotton University, in a poster campaign against the Act, pasted posters citing reasons behind the opposition of CAA. Many from Asom Lekhika Santha, Guwahati Kabi Kanan and several writers and poets from various organizations staged a dharna over CAA at Latasil ground.
In Jorhat too, a massive Gana Samabesh was organised by Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Jorhat unit at Jorhat stadium. Secretary of AJYCP Palash Changmai alleged that peace procession which was taken out at Nalbari and Jagiroad was sponsored by the coal syndicates and coal mafia of Barak Valley for which many took part as they were paid Rs 1,000 for their participation.
Dispur continued with its effort to reach out to the anti-CAA brigade. Sonowal said that the Assam government would never take any step which was detrimental to the interests of the people.
He also assured that in future also the state government would take no step which could anyway harm the interest of the people while speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of Tulsibari Multipurpose Higher Secondary School at Rangia in Kamrup district. Sonowal further observed that the forces which were trying to create disturbance in society were enemies of the people.
