While large scale protests against controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 are taking place across Brahmaputra Valley in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said in Silchar that the Bill is prayaschitta (atonement) of the mistakes committed at the time of India’s partition.
Prime Minister Modi, who launched the campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Assam by addressing a massive rally in Silchar, said, “The government is also moving ahead with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. It is linked to emotions and related to peoples’ lives. It is not for the benefit of anyone. It is a prayaschitta (atonement) of the mistakes committed at the time of India’s partition.”
Prime Minister Modi, who in his speech made all out effort to woo the Hindu Bengali voters of Barak valley, expressed his hope that the bill will be passed by the parliament soon.
He further said that not a single Indian citizen will be left out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
“I have come to assure everyone that none of the Indian nationals will leave the NRC .I know you’ve faced problems, but the programme which was stuck from decades will finally reach its conclusion ,” he added.
Modi also spoke about government’s move for implementation of the Clause 6 of the Assam Accord of 1985. “Government decided to implement Clause 6 of Assam Accord to safeguard social, cultural and linguistic identity of the state,” said the PM.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a proposal to set up a high-level committee to look into the implementation of Clause 6 of the Accord, a move which received lukewarm response from Assam’s indigenous organisations.
Modi also thanked the people of Assam for their support in the recently concluded Panchayat polls.
“Just a few days ago in the panchayat elections, you have given a lot of support to the BJP and our allies,” he said.
Modi said that Government is working towards completing projects in the region worth over Rs 12 lakh crore.
“Today we are working towards completing projects worth over Rs 12 lakh crore,” said the Prime Minister.