CPI(M) stages protest demanding scrapping of Citizenship Bill & to solve issue of D-voters

February 4: The issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has created sharp difference among the populace. Moreover, apart from the Citizenship Bill, the other issues which are now much talked about in Assam are those of National register of Citizens (NRC), Doubtful or D-voters and Detention Camps. On Monday morning, an hour long protest demonstration was held by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) near the Khudiram Statue seeking fulfillment of a gamut of issues ranging from scrapping of Citizenship Bill, inclusion of names of all genuine Indians in NRC to abolishing the practice of ‘D’-voters.

Speaking during the occasion, Debojit Gupta upholded the position of CPI(M) as regards the Citizenship Bill. He said, ‘CPI(M) is opposed to this bill since long. This Bill is a direct infringement on the basic structure of our constitution. The Bill goes against the principle of secularism.” He said that the bill has created a dangerous division between the Bengalis and the Assamese in Assam.

CPI(M) District General Secretary Dulal Mitra too echoed the words of Debojit Gupta. He further criticised the role of present central government in creating a division in the society between religion, caste and class. He said that the issue of D-voters has left thousands of people in the clutches of uncertainty. he raised a strong demand of abolishing the principle of tagging people as Doubtful Voters. Mr. Mitra said, “People are supporting the Bill without reading it or knowing its contents. BJP is spreading lies in the name of the Bill.” He said that the popular notion spread by BJP that the Bill, if passed will provide citizenship to all Hindu Bengalis is not true.

Another left leader, Supriyo Bhattacharjee criticised the role of Narendra Modi government in creating unrest in the society in the name of Citizenship Bill. He gave a clarion call to the people not to fall in the hands of the divisive policy of BJP government. He too raised the issue of doing away with the inhuman detention camps prevalent in the state.