GUWAHATI, Dec 28 - Assam is returning to the path of conflict under BJP rule and the people of the State must remain united if peace, development and progress are to be achieved, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He also asserted that the sanctity of the Assam Accord should be maintained.
Addressing a public rally at the Veterinary College ground, Khanapara here, on the occasion of the 135th foundation day of the Indian National Congress, Gandhi came down heavily on the BJP-led governments in the Centre and the State over use of force against peaceful protesters opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, or the CAA, and added that the principal opposition party stands with the masses of Assam in their struggle against the new law.
The Congress party today organised public events across the country under the slogan of �Save Constitution � Save India�.
The former Congress president said that during his visit to the State in the run-up to the 2016 Assembly polls he had expressed apprehension that �peace, amity and development� in Assam will suffer if the BJP comes to power in Dispur. �It is unfortunate but I have been proved correct. I am sad and apprehensive that slowly the State is returning to violence due to the BJP... The BJP spreads hatred wherever it expands its footprint,� Gandhi said.
�I stand with you (the people of Assam) in times of both happiness and sorrow. Your strength is in your unity, brotherhood and the feeling of love. Hate and anger can never lead to development of Assam. You have to remain united and tell the BJP leaders that you will not tolerate any attack on your culture, history and language,� he added.
At the beginning, Gandhi said that he will refrain from giving a political speech during today�s event.
Gandhi claimed that the historic Assam Accord laid the foundation of peace in the State. �So the spirit of the Assam Accord should not be diluted or violated,� he said, adding that the Accord was signed after all stakeholders arrived at a consensus. He said the Congress took a strong stand against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill or the CAB, both inside Parliament and outside, since the Bill was first introduced.
�BJP and RSS will not be allowed to attack Assam�s language, culture and heritage. Nagpur cannot run Assam. The chaddiwalas of Nagpur will not be allowed to dictate the Assamese people. We will never allow that. People of Assam will remain supreme here. They (BJP) failed to take into account the spirit and willpower of the people of the Northeast. We will never allow any attack on the Northeast and Assam,� Gandhi said.
He also urged the people of the State to maintain peace. �Violence will not benefit anyone. Peace and brotherhood can solve all problems,� he added.
Appreciating the culture and heritage of the State, Gandhi said he learned a great deal about �brotherhood, mutual respect and inclusiveness� from the people of Assam.
He said that people across the country are protesting against the CAA. �...What is the need to fire on protesters and take their lives? They (BJP) want to browbeat and intimidate the voice of the youths and of our mothers and sisters. BJP does not want to listen to the voices of the masses. When people are protesting peacefully you should also listen to them with a feeling of brotherhood and love. Why use force,� Gandhi said.
He said the BJP wants to divert attention of the masses from real issues of bread and butter. �India�s economy was growing at 9 per cent annually. Youths were getting employment. Even former US President Barack Obama had said that only China and India can compete with the US. But the BJP finished the economy. Unemployment rate now is at a 45-year high. Youths of Assam are not getting employment but the Chief Minister and other BJP leaders are mum. The economy was India�s strength. But Modi�s decision on demonetisation and faulty implementation of the GST weakened our economy. Modi only wants to divide the people and spread hatred,� Gandhi said.
He accused the BJP of helping the big corporate houses while making the farmers, small traders and other sections of the society suffer. �Their (BJP�s) aim is to promote conflict in society and help their corporate friends reap the profit,� the Congress leader said.
