No hurdles will be put up during Khelo India, but anti-CAA protests will continue: AASU

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has assured the authorities concerned that the students’ organization will not put up any hurdles on the ‘Khelo India’ schedule though its protests against the CAA will continue in the city as well as across the State even during the 13-day mega sports event.

Talking to The Sentinel, AASU president Dipanko Kumar Nath said, “We have stuck to our stand with regard to the new Citizenship Act. Students will simultaneously carry on their studies, the movement against CAA, and also play sports now.”

He added, “The AASU does not have any reservations on ‘Khelo India’. But we oppose the manner in which the Prime Minister has imposed CAA on the people of Assam. That’s why we had decided to protest in front of the PM if he had been here to inaugurate the national sports event. We came to know of the cancellation of PM’s visit today. However, if he remains adamant on CAA, he will have to definitely face people’s protests whenever he visits Assam in the future.”

The AASU leader added, “From 1951 to 1971, Assam already took on herself the burden of illegal foreigners. Now, the Assamese people will not shoulder the additional burden of even a single foreigner — Hindu or Muslim — post-March 25, 1971.

“We’ll continue our peaceful democratic movement against CAA both on the streets and the Supreme Court.”

Dwelling on the ‘Ranaxinga’ rally against CAA to be held across the State on Thursday, AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, “People will sound the war bugle using all traditional musical instruments like the doba, xangkha, nagara, khol, and bartal among others. Besides the artistes’ fraternity, this programme will be supported by 30 ethnic organizations of the State.

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