Assam: FM Himanta Biswa Sarma Says Those Opposing Citizenship Bill Trying To Destroy State’s Culture, Civilisation

Assam Finance Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday (17 February) criticised those opposing the Citizenship Bill and said that they want to attack the culture and civilisation of Assam, reports Business Standard.

Sarma was addressing a rally of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers in the presence of BJP president Amit Shah at Lakhimpur, Assam.

"Lots of misinformation is being spread about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, ST status to six tribes and Clause-6 of the Assam Accord," Sarma was quoted in the report as saying.

"They (those opposing the bill) want to mislead the Assamese community. They want to attack the culture and civilisation of Assam. We want to tell all that we will protect Indian culture and civilisation. It is our resolution," he added.

The Citizenship Bill is set to lapse on 3 June, when the term of the present Lok Sabha ends. The bill could not be passed in Rajya Sabha during the budget session that ended last week.

Sarma also claimed that BJP will win 10-11 seats out of the 14 in Assam in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He said it was a clash between the ones protecting ‘jati-mati-beti’ (community, land, homeland) and those attacking the civilisation.

"The BJP is the saviour of this civilisation. 'Fir ek baar Modi sarkar' -- it is not only a slogan, but a resolution to save our lives. The BJP will win 10-11 seats in Assam," Sarma said.