MP Rajdeep Roy tears into opposition, says Congress suffers from selective amnesia

February 4: Participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP from Silchar Dr. Rajdeep Roy like a seasoned politician tore into the bastion of the opposition parties and counted on the positive aspects of the recently implemented Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. On Tuesday, Dr. Roy began his speech bringing forth an image of contrast from the pages of history. Going down the memory lane, he brought in two diametrically opposite scenario.

He said, “When the entire nation was celebrating the independence of India on 15 August, 1947, the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was far away from this madding crowd. Instead of being a part of the celebrations at this central hall, Gandhiji was almost 3000 kms away in a place called ‘Noakhali’ (now in Bangladesh). He was there at the call of his conscience because he knew that the partition was not demanded by those who fought for the country’s independence. Mahatma Gandhi went there on learning the atrocities perpetrated upon lakhs of people over there. He went there to stand by those who were persecuted in the then East Pakistan.”

Dr. Roy categorically stated that the partition of 1947 was heaped upon from the above. He then referred to the Noakhali riots and said that the entire country was witnessing butchering of people in broad daylight. He said that the pangs of partition was borne by the people in Punjab and Surma Valley. Referring to Surma Valley, he said, “During partition, one part went to the then East Pakistan and the other part remained in India. Gandhiji knew the pangs of partition faced by millions. So he said that those who want to come over to the Indian territory shall be welcomed and also given citizenship.” He mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi did not speak of any cut off date for those willing to come to India.

He then referred to Guljarilal Nanda, Lal Bahadur Sastri, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who according to Dr. Roy echoed the words uttered by Gandhi in 1947. Replying to the criticism of the opposition, who termed the CAA as non-secular, Dr. Rajdeep Roy gave reference to the Citizenship Act amended during the Prime Ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee by which Hindus & Sikhs coming from Pakistan to Hindu were given citizenship. He said, “This Act was amended later on in 2005 for 1 year by Dr.Manmohan Singh during his Prime Ministership and again for 2 years in 2006 by him. Was it not communal at that time? Our secularism is proved by the fact that we have included in this Act not only Hindus, but also Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains.”

Saying so, Rajdeep hinted towards the opposition and said, “Equality can only be for the equals, it cannot be for the unequals. Infact, it is we who have obeyed the Nehru-Liyaqat Agreement. That is why people like Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr. Manmohan Singh have adorned the highest positions in this country. But give me one instance where a minority is made to seat in the highest position of power in Bangladesh or Pakistan.”

Pointing towards the Congress Dr. Roy said that it is due to the faulty policies of the Congress that they have been bound to sit out of power. He even said that the present situation of the Congress is due to the rule by a particular family.

In his address, he took the name of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi from Assam and said, “Gourav’s father was the Chief Minister of Assam (Tarun Gogoi) for 3 consecutive terms and I know that he too has taken many such steps. But as I am a doctor, I know the disease. Congress suffers from selective amnesia. Whatever suits them they adopt it or else they discard it. When it came to CAA, they forgot Gandhiji. They have also forgotten what their leader Tarun Gogoi said in 2011. Now they are desperately trying to grab power by misguiding people.”

As regards the ongoing anti-CAA agitation in Assam, Dr. Roy said, “The agitation in Assam occured only because the Congress told lies to the people, but now as we have explained them the fact, there is total peace in Assam. All the insurgency problems in the Northeast are almost solved under the bold leadership of Prime Minister Modi.” He also praised the Act East Policy adopted by the Prime Minister. As regards certain state assemblies adopting resolutions against CAA, he said that this is against the federal spirit of the constitution.