Pratidin Sangbad, Guwahati, 19th January: After various protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Assamese women have now come out to the street to protest against the CAA. On 19th January, 2020 hundreds of women gathered at Latashil playground and marched towards the Assam Engineering Institute playground, Chandmari. They warned the Government again that Assamese people will not accept CAA. The protesters shouted slogans against the CAA and the BJP-led government. The protest programme named as “Narikanthar Hungkar” (roars of women) and “Narikantha” clearly stated that, they will not stop protesting against the CAA. Several actors, singers, activists, journalists and academicians also took part in the anti-CAA rally on Sunday. Assamese actress Barsharani Bishya who led the protest, said that Assam was not a dumping ground for illegal foreigners. She also said that Assam was protesting against the citizenship law because it was a “threat to our indigenous identity”. “We can’t be a minority in Assam,” she said. Eminent writer Arupa Patangia Kalita, Rani Gohain, novelist Manalisha Saikia, activist Ratna Bharali Talukdar, Nikumoni Baruah, social worker Garima Saikia Garg, singer Rupali Kashyap, Dr Lakhi Das pathak, retired vice-principal of LCB College, journalist Afrida Hussain and various student leaders, cultural workers joined the protest against CAA.
Garima Saikia Garg, a social worker said, “The protest of the people of Assam will continue against the citizenship law until it is not scrapped. We are protesting against this Act since 2016. The government is adamant on its stand but we also know what we can do”.
Writer Arupa Patangia Kalita said, “The citizenship Act is very harmful for us. Assam is already facing many problems. In this situation we don’t want an Act like this, which will divide our people”.
Novelist Manalisha Saikia said, “When the women are on the roads, the rulers should understand the anger of Assamese society against the CAA. If we are home-makers, we can also lead the society.”
Noted writer and activist Ratna Bharali Talukdar said, when women are forced to leave their homes and hit the streets, the society can hope to see better days. “We will continue our fight till the CAA is scrapped,” she said.
Social worker Rani Gohain said, “The CAA will make the Assamese people foreigners on their own lands. Assam will become another Tripura in case the government goes ahead to enforce the CAA”.
Journalist Afrida Hussain said that, in the future, Narikantha will continue the fight against CAA with more power.
The march of protest ended at the Assam Engineering Institute playground.