Sankardev Sangha asks PM Modi not to come for its Morigaon session

January 14: The executive committee of Assam’s prestigious Srimanta Shankardev Sangha invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come for its ensuing 88th Morigaon session scheduled for February 6 to 9, 2019. However, in an unprecedented gesture, Shankardev Sangha on Sunday has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to come for its ensuing Morigaon session.

The decision of the Sangha comes in the light of severe protests across nook and corners of the State against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. This decision of denying the Prime Minister not to come to the session  was communicated to the Prime Minister’s office on Sunday.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was intended to grant citizenship to the religious minorities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) who have migrated from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan till 2014 due to religious persecution. The officer-bearers of the Sangha also reiterated that as a regional organization, it will always oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Political analysts regarded this decision of the Srimanta Shankardev Sangha as a major embarrassment for the head of the state. The Sangha expressed the view that “The situation is quite volatile in the State over the citizenship bill. So we desire that Modi does not come for the Morigaon session. We don’t want to do anything against the Assamese community.” However, the Sangha is still undecided over inviting the BJP leadership of the State.