RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat articulating his thoughts at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati
Dibya Bordoloi, Guwahati
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat has clarified that both CAA as well as NRC are not against Indian Muslims. But both CAA and NRC have been wrongly described as a Hindu-Muslim issue to gain political mileage in our country
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) are not against the citizens of India. The Indian Muslims don’t have to worry about Acts like the CAA and the NRC, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said in a programme organised in Guwahati recently.
Dr Bhagwat stated that after the Partition, it was decided by the Nehru-Liaquat agreement that both the countries – India and Pakistan – will take care of their respective minorities. India is doing its duty towards the minority but Pakistan didn’t fulfil its responsibility. “People fought against the British for a united independent Bharat. Partition was not done with people’s consensus. Few leaders decided to go in for the Partition and people had to accept it. Due to the Partition, thousands became homeless and they continued to be so even today. It was accepted by all our leaders then that it is our moral responsibility to think for those who are persecuted due to the Partition in Pakistan and Bangladesh,” said RSS Sarsanghchalak.
“The concept of CAA comes from that promise. Those who come in fear of persecution have to be given shelter,” said Dr Bhagwat, while addressing an eminent gathering in Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati. The event saw the RSS Sarsanghchalak releasing a book titled “Citizenship Debate over NRC and CAA, Assam and the Politics of History”, written by professor Nani Gopal Mahanta. The programme was attended by Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Speaker of Assam Assembly Biswajit Daimari and host of dignitaries.
NRC Given a Communal Spin
On the controversies surrounding the NRC, Dr Bhagwat said it is a practice exercised by every county to know its citizens. Every government of countries existing in this world wants to know who are the actual citizens. Who have come to a country with proper permission or who are without permission. “The NRC is one of the mechanisms to identify the citizens of a country. It is not against anybody. But it has been diverted as a communal issue to gain political mileage in our country. CAA and NRC are not a Hindu-Muslim issue. But the people of the nation should remain vigilant in these issues and decide what is good for the future of the country”, Dr Bhagwat said.
Speaking on the occasion, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said comparing the protest against CAA and NRC in Shaheen Bagh and Assam would be wrong. “People in Assam protest against CAA to protect their cultural and linguistic identities. But the protest in Shaheen Bagh had the backing of communal forces.”
Dr Sarma further said that the intellectual society of Assam is dominated by Left-wing thinkers and liberals. Whenever someone tries to raise an alternative voice the Left and liberals create intellectual terrorism. The book written by Nani Gopal Mahanta will challenge the Left thinking based on the long history of Assam and the Assamese society.
Reveal Hidden Truths
Speaking about the book, Dr Bhagwat said that the book will unveil many hidden truths of the history of Assamese society. Professor Mahanta has written the book with serious research and every page of the book will bring to light some interesting historical nuggets which were not allowed to come in front of society.
The book penned by professor Mahanta titled “Citizenship Debate over CAA and NRC, Assam and the Politics of History” is based on the identity crisis that the Assamese society is facing for several decades due to the huge migration of Muslims from East Bengal or now what is called Bangladesh. The book has challenged the theory by the Left and liberals to trace the Assamese history and nationality from the 19th century. The book throws light on the fight of Assamese people to protect their pride and cultural identity which have been evolving since the 13th century. Professor Mahanta also look at the historical, legal and political contest under which NRC was promulgated in Assam. The chapter on Hindu refugees tries to reflect on how illegal migrants utilise various illegal means in order to legitimate their citizenship in Assam.
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