While social media is flooded with posts claiming that the people who came to attend the BJP peace rally at Jagiroad on December 27 were “hired” by the party, Assam minister of state for health Pijush Hazarika on Monday said none of the people were hired and each person came to attend the meeting on their own.

Speaking to reporters, Hazarika said, “A section of people from Assam is giving false information by claiming that the people who participated in the peace rally in Jagiroad were hired and they were paid Rs 250 to Rs 500 each just to attend the meeting. This claim certainly hurts the sentiments of the genuine people who stood with the BJP on that particular day.”

“I have been involved in the politics of Assam for more than 21 years now and in my entire career I have never heard such a shameful thing. This claim is an insult to the genuine people and I know that these people will give a solid answer to those who are defaming them,” he said.

The minister said several people from various locations, apart from Jagiroad, attended the meeting.

“We never said the entire meeting would be held only with people from the Jagiroad constituency. We had people visiting from Morigaon, Dhing, Batadrava, Rupohi, Nagaon as well as Karbi Anglong. But they came on their own. Claiming that they were hired will not be accepted,” he added.

He said no one has been hired for any meeting in the state and people should not make such statements as it demoralises and hurts the sentiments of the people of the state.

Earlier, singer Zubeen Garg during an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest meeting organised by the Nalbari district committee of the AJYCP at Nalbari College claimed that people attending the ruling alliance rally were hired while those attending the anti-CAA rally came on their own.

“If the people of the state want, a new political party will be formed. The CAA protests will have gaps now so that people don’t suffer. Maybe we should protest after January 22,” he said.

The Supreme Court will take up the petition against CAA on January 22.

Following these claims, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a meeting in Sualkuchi also said such claims are baseless and people should refrain from making such statements.