North-East Minorities Students’ Union (NEMSU) Contests Use of The Term ‘Khilanjia Assamese’

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The North-East Minorities Students’ Union (NEMSU), a social non-political organization, submitting its views to the Home Secretary under the Government of India, has contested the use of ‘Khilanjia Assamese’. The students’ body has also said that the use of the term ‘khilanjia’ instead of the original term ‘Assamese people’ as mentioned in Clause 6 of the Assam Accord is undemocratic, unconstitutional and divisive.

The Union is of the view that implementation of Clause 5 of the Assam Accord is mandatory before implementing its Clause 6. “The people of Assam have to be assured that Clause 5 of the Assam Accord shall not be disturbed in any manner. If the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill is implemented, it will violate the Assam Accord. Hence, it should be free from the North East otherwise the basic motive of the Assam Accord will be disturbed and diverted,” said general secretary of the Union Julfikar Ahmed, while addressing a press meet.

Ahmed was of the view that insertion of the word ‘Khilanjia’ instead of the original word ‘Assamese people’ contradicts the spirit of the Assam Accord as well as the NRC. “The principles upheld by the high-level committee on Clause 6 of Assam Accord to safeguard the linguistic, cultural and constitutional rights of only the khilanjia Assamese are undemocratic, unconstitutional and divisive,” he said.

The Union also suggested that MLA Siladitya Dev be arrested under National Security Act and suspended as an MLA. “Siladitya Dev is a threat to national security,” said Ahmed.

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