GUWAHATI, Oct 25 - The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today accused the BJP of trying to push through the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, despite opposition of the people of Assam and called for action to defeat what it termed �divisive politics� of the ruling party.
�As per reports there is a plan by the BJP and the government to push through the Bill in a hurry with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or to issue an ordinance. However, it is common knowledge that the Indian Constitution does not allow citizenship on the basis of religion. Yet, the BJP government, which came to power after swearing by the Constitution, has now brought a Bill in Parliament to provide citizenship to non-Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and with a view to building an atmosphere in favour of the proposed legislation, it is indulging in a conspiracy to create a hate campaign against the Muslim community in Assam,� secretary of CPI (M)�s Assam State unit Deben Bhattacharya said.
The Left party alleged that the BJP is hell bent not only on creating religious polarisation in Assam, but also on creating a rift among the Bengali and Assamese-speaking communities for the sake of political gains.
�For that purpose, some BJP leaders, ministers and MLAs are making provocative statements. They are trying to incite the Bengali Hindu community by making comments regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to secure votes during the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. CPI (M) urges the Bengali-speaking people and the organisations representing the Bengali community not to fall into the trap laid by the BJP,� Bhattacharya said.
The CPI (M) also expressed concern that some individuals and organisations have made objectionable statements against the Bengali community while opposing the Bill.
�Such actions are harmful to the social life of Assam. Such actions only weaken the struggle against the Bill and provide fodder to BJP�s divisive politics. Only a united struggle, and not chauvinism, can give a fitting reply to the misdeeds of the BJP,� said the Left leader.
The CPI (M) has called upon the people of Assam, irrespective of their caste or creed, to stand united against the proposed legislation. The party has also decided to intensify it protest across all districts of Assam to press for withdrawal of the Bill.
