Following the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act by the Central government, opposition parties have vehemently criticized the decision, announcing plans for a large-scale protest all across Assam.
The United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA), a coalition of 16 parties leading the movement against CAA, has declared to call for an Assam bandh immediately after the Act’s notification.
Akhil Gogoi, a prominent peasant leader and key figure in the CAA protests in Assam, has likened the Act to a historical assault on the Assamese community, akin to Mughal invasions.
He accuses the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of weaponizing the CAA against the state and urges citizens of all backgrounds to prepare for peaceful demonstrations.
Gogoi stresses the importance of expressing dissent through democratic means, rejecting any form of violence.
He alleges that the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are exploiting the CAA to marginalize the Assamese community.
The Central Government is anticipated to unveil the regulations for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act on March 11.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated that the Act does not strip anyone of citizenship, emphasizing its imminent notification before the Lok Sabha elections.