Opposition parties from Assam seek meeting with PM over CAA

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United Opposition Forum of Assam (UOFA), spearheading the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) movement in the state, has sought an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to express their concerns regarding the potential ramifications of implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA.
Bhupen Borah, the state Congress chief and president of the United Opposition Forum of Assam (UOFA), representing 16 opposition parties, has dispatched a letter requesting a meeting with PM Modi.

In the letter, Borah highlighted the widespread apprehension among Assamese people, irrespective of their background, regarding the CAA’s perceived threat to the cultural, historical, socio-economic, and identity aspects of the state.

The opposition emphasized that the implementation of the CAA would undermine the significance of the historic Assam Accord of 1985, which is deeply valued by the Assamese populace.

Given the urgency of the situation and the potential for unrest in Assam, the opposition parties expressed their desire to meet with the Prime Minister during his scheduled visit on March 8-9.

They referenced the protests against the CAA in 2019-20, which resulted in casualties and injuries, as evidence of the seriousness of the issue.

Furthermore, the UOFA has announced plans for a state-wide bandh and other forms of protest if the CAA is enforced. Additionally, organizations like the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) have outlined a series of protest actions, including a fast on March 9 during PM Modi’s visit.

The CAA aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries who entered India before December 31, 2014. Home Minister Amit Shah has indicated that the rules for implementing the CAA will be notified and enforced before the next Lok Sabha elections.