Himanta challenges college teachers on an open forum discussion on CAA

January 19: Defying strict government stricture, Assam College Teachers’ Association (ACTA) launched agitation against the recently passed Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). ACTA appealed to all the units and zones under it to demonstrate against CAA in Dispur. Resuming charge as the Education Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma trained guns on the college teachers of the state.

Asking the college teachers to participate in an open discussion through seminars and discussions, Dr. Sarma urged upon the point that the onus lies on the teaching fraternity to explain the intricacies of CAA. He asked, “Against whom have the college teachers launched the agitation since the last few days? I do not have any problems in college teachers joining the agitation.”

Stressing on the need to organise seminar on CAA, Himanta stressed on the point to clarify two vital points regarding CAA. He said, “If asked to address one thousand students regarding CAA, will they be able to address the specific clauses of II, VI(A) or amendments of Citizenship Act in 1987, 1993 & 2003?”

He urged upon the college teaching fraternity to explain the intricacies inherent in the aforesaid clauses. Furthering his point, Himanta added that the questions posed to him by the people and media is indicative of the fact that serious academic discussion on CAA has not been organised till date by the concerned people.

Himanta Biswa Sarma was speaking at the #ChiefMinisterYouthConclave2020 organised by State Level Advisory Committee for Students and Youth Welefare, Government of Assam at Sarusajai Sports Complex, Guwahati Assam.

It needs mention here that the steering committee of ACTA held on 30 December, 2019, unanimously resolved to hold protest against CAA and as such a protest demonstration was held centrally at Guwahati on 11 January, 2020 wherein college teachers from various parts of the state participated.