Dimapur, August 21 (MExN): The Assamese Community in London has opposed the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. “If the bill passes through it will have a serious implication on the people of Assam regarding the demography, culture and the Assamese language. Our identity is at threat and our safety as an NRA (Non-Resident Assamese),” stated a press release issued by Rini Kakati, UK coordinator of Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters. It informed that a delegation of Assamese Community in London met YK Sinha, Indian High Commissioner to UK at India House, Aldwych in July and requested him to convey their concern to the appropriate government departments in New Delhi, notably Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “…If a significant portion of Bangladeshi Hindu refugees entering into India are given permanent settlement in Assam the demography of Assam, Assamese language and Assamese Culture face a great identity crisis. If for humanitarian reasons these refugees escaping persecution need to the settled in India, they should be proportionately distributed to all the Indian States and Union Territories and not just in Assam,” they demanded. The Community further asserted that the present attempt of the Government of India to extend citizenship beyond the cut-off point of March 24, March 1971 is “unacceptable”. The state of Assam, it stated, is “already overburdened with high influx of foreign nationals from Bangladesh, causing serious economic and social distress and identity crisis for the indigenous communities of Assam.” “Under these circumstances, the proposed amendment poses a serious threat to the existence of Assam as a unique cultural and linguistic entity enshrined in the formation of various states at independence of India. We therefore strongly demand the withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Bill,” it added.
