Former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta on Friday said Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MPs’ support to CAA is unfortunate.
He was interacting with reporters after visiting the family members Iswar Nayak- a resident of Majuli tea estate in India-Bhutan border in Udalguri.
Speaking to Northeast Now, Mahanta expressed his dismay over the decision of AGP Parliamentarians to vote in favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill while it was debated in the Parliament.
“It is unfortunate that they voted in favour of CAB in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. For their actions, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) as a whole should not be held responsible,” Mahanta added.
“The government, instead of adopting repressive measures on the people of Assam should resolve the situation
and withdraw CAA,” he added.
“There has been no religious persecution of minorities in Bangladesh in the recent times,” Mahanta said referring to the statement made by Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen.
Momen, in a statement, recently called union home minister Amit Shah’s statements on the condition of religious minorities in Bangladesh as ‘unwarranted and false.
“What Momen said is true,” Mahanta reiterated.
Taking a dig on the Assam BJP leaders, Mahanta said, “Assam should have been the frontrunner in opposing the Act.”
“Instead of leaders from Assam, the leaders of Meghalaya are leading with example in opposing CAA. This is unfortunate for Assam,” he reiterated.
Referring to the implementation of Clause 6 of Assam Accord, Mahanta said, “If illegal migrants are granted citizenship through CAA, then how could Clause 6 protect the rights of indigenous people of Assam?”
“I have vehemently opposed CAA and will continue to do so,” he said.