The Congress in Assam is building up its campaigning for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the State over anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) sentiments.
The ruling BJP in Assam had heavily criticised the Congress for raising the issue of CAA as an election agenda.
Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that the Congress has made a big mistake by raising the issue of CAA as an election agenda as the people of Assam no longer care whether CAA is implemented in the State or not.
Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that “nobody in Assam no more is talking about CAA”.
However, the Congress seems to be proving the Assam Minister and the BJP wrong, as a large number of people have joined the movement launched by the Congress, which is of donating at least 50 lakh ‘Gamochas’, with anti-CAA messages written on it, for the Anti-CAA martyrs’ memorial, which the Congress has promised to build, if it comes back to power in the State.
On Friday, the Congress started the process of collecting ‘gamochas’ with anti-CAA messages written on it from every nook and corner of the State.
People from all walks of life in every part of the State on Friday joined the Congress’ movement.
Also read: Political temperature in Assam heats up: Top Congress leaders sweat it out to woo voters
Former Assam Minister Rakibul Hussain on Friday arrived at the residence of 17-year-old Sam Stafford, who died in police firing during the violent anti-CAA protests in Assam.
Parents of Sam Stafford also donated a ‘gamocha’ for the ‘Anti-CAA Martyrs’ Memorial’, which the Congress has promised to build in Guwahati if it comes back to power in the State.
“We want justice for the killing of Sam Stafford. We will never accept CAA,” parents of deceased 17-year-old Sam Stafford wrote in the ‘gamocha’ that they donated.
“My son was was neither a terrorist, nor was he a hooligan. Who gave them the right to kill my innocent son? I need justice for him,” said Mamoni Stafford, mother of Sam Stafford.
The ‘gamocha’ that the parents of Sam Stafford donated was collected by senior Assam Congress leader Rakibul Hussain.
The ‘gamocha’ from the parents of Sam Stafford was the first that the Congress collected for the ‘Anti-CAA Martyrs’ Memorial’.
“Many bravehearts fought against CAA & lost their lives to guide our way. 17 year Sam Stafford was one of the youngest to have laid down his life. Our first anti-CAA Gamosa came from his family as our leaders paid tributes to Sam’s sacrifice and valour,” the Assam Congress said.
Many bravehearts fought against CAA & lost their lives to guide our way- 17 year Sam Stafford was one of the youngest to have laid down his life. Our first anti-CAA Gamosa came from his family as our leaders paid tributes to Sam’s sacrifice & valour.#AxomBasaonAhok#AssamBachao pic.twitter.com/bRN7nIkqc4
— Assam Bachao (@AssamBachao) February 19, 2021
Rakibul Hussain said, “17-year-old Sam Stafford, young martyr of anti-CAA movement, guides Assam in this fight against tyranny! It was only befitting to pay him a tribute by collecting the first anti-CAA Gamosa from his family so that he can continue to lead the way in our fight!”
Meanwhile, distinguished Educationist from Assam Dr Khargeswar Bhuyan and Social Activist Shivananda Kakati also supported the anti CAA movement by donating ‘Gamosas’ with their anti- CAA messages on it with us.
Rakibul Hussain said, “Anti- CAA movement is gaining credible momentum everyday with people from all walks supporting it.”
.@INCAssam‘s anti- CAA movement is gaining credible momentum everyday with people from all walks supporting it. Assam’s renowned Educationist Dr.Khargeswar Bhuyan and noted Social Activist Sh.Shivananda Kakati shared their Gamosas with anti- CAA messages with me.#AxomBasaonAhok pic.twitter.com/XcpSTpIpJ6
— Rakibul Hussain (@rakibul_inc) February 19, 2021
Assam Congress Chief Ripun Bora said, “You tried to divide us. You ended up multiplying our resolve to fight back! No CAA in Assam.”
You tried to divide us- you ended up multiplying our resolve to fight back!
No CAA ? in Assam!#MyAntiCAAGamosa#AxomBasaonAhok pic.twitter.com/QtSU8Yd2i0
— Ripun Bora (@ripunbora) February 19, 2021
Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the BJP has been very careful of not mentioning CAA in election campaigning and keep the issue in the back seat ahead of the Assembly elections.
“It isn’t surprising that the power-hungry Assam BJP has chosen to keep its so-called ideological step of CAA at a safe distance in view of elections,” Gaurav Gogoi said.
It isn’t surprising that the power-hungry @BJP4Assam Govt has chosen to keep its so-called ‘ideological step” of CAA at a safe distance in view of elections.@INCAssam Govt is coming next & CAA will not be allowed to come into force!#AxomBasaonAhokpic.twitter.com/eAYsE5MRIW
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) February 19, 2021
On the other hand, Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi was seen collecting anti-CAA ‘gamocha’ in Lakhimpur.
“Amazed by the number of Gamosas carrying anti-CAA messages handed over to me by the locals in Lakhimpur, showcasing their stance against BJP’s divisive politics! Also paid respects at Padumoni Than during my visit,” said Pradyut Bordoloi.
Amazed by the number of Gamosas carrying anti-CAA messages handed over to me by the locals in Lakhimpur, showcasing their stance against BJP’s divisive politics! Also paid respects at Padumoni Than during my visit.#AxomBasaonAhok #AssamBachao pic.twitter.com/4V7bsrf4QR
— Pradyut Bordoloi (@pradyutbordoloi) February 19, 2021
Binita Hore, a Bengali Hindu from Assam, also penned down her Anti-CAA message on a ‘gamocha’ and handed it over to CLP leader Debabrata Saikia in Tinsukia.
“I am a Bengali Hindu and I do not want CAA to be implemented,” wrote social worker Sushanta Dutta in his donated ‘gamocha’.
“Had the pleasure of staying over at Mrs and Mr Handique’s home, noted social workers of Tinsukia town. Also their daughter handed over an anti-CAA Gamosa with her message on it, which shall be displayed at the anti-CAA Memorial,” Debabrata Saikia said.
Had the pleasure of staying over at Mrs & Mr Handique’s home- noted social workers of Tinsukia town. Also their daughter handed over an anti-CAA Gamosa with her message on it, which shall be displayed at the anti-CAA Memorial.#AxomBasaonAhok#AssamBachao pic.twitter.com/Y3A6MSQa0L
— Debabrata Saikia (@DsaikiaOfficial) February 19, 2021