Assam: Opposition Warns of Mass Movement to Repeal CAA in Memo to President Droupadi Murmu

On Wednesday, the 16-party United Opposition Forum in Assam presented a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu urging the Centre to refrain from implementing the state's controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). 

The memorandum, delivered by senior leaders of the 16 parties through Assam governor Gulab Chand Kataria at the Raj Bhavan, called for repealing the "unconstitutional and anti-national" legislation. 

Additionally, it stated that if the act is not repealed, the Opposition parties and the people of Assam will have no choice but to engage in a mass democratic movement to compel the Centre to repeal it.

"Unfortunately, the ruling BJP, taking advantage of its majority in both Houses of Parliament, passed the bill (CAB) ignoring the sentiment of the people of Assam," the memorandum stated, adding that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently declared that "the CAA is going to be implemented in Assam before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."

The joint memorandum signifies the Opposition's unity in confronting the ruling BJP alliance in the upcoming elections, with the CAA emerging as a central issue for the Opposition, much like it was in the 2021 Assembly polls. 

The United Opposition Forum's three-page memorandum also reaffirms their longstanding opposition to the CAA. 

Media reports on Tuesday regarding the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notifying the rules for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) before the model code of conduct for the upcoming general elections took effect have further energized the Opposition forum. 

In Assam, opponents of the CAA view the legislation as unconstitutional and a threat to Assamese identity, culture, and language. They argue that the implementation of the CAA would potentially allow illegal immigrants, particularly from neighbouring Bangladesh, to enter the state, thereby endangering the future of indigenous communities.