By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Guwahati: Several students’ groups and political parties in Assam have slammed senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy for his communally sensitive statements during his visit to the state.
State BJP has dismissed it as Swamy’s personal remarks.
Subramanian Swamy (Courtesy: The Hindu)
The state’s prime regional party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) said such leaders of BJP who do not have much knowledge of the region create more problems than solution. AGP publicity secretary Manoj Saikia said that his “communal” statements will disturb the peace and harmony in the state.
Swamy had said that if an illegal Muslim immigrant was ready to convert to Hinduism then he could be allowed to stay in India. Swamy, who was here to attend a meeting of social media activists on Sunday, had also termed the Assam Accord, which was signed after six long years of agitation, as outdated.
“Leaders like Swamy will create more problems here by worthless statements. He does not have knowledge about the region. We are extremely stunned at his remarks. We should not let such leaders make communal statements. We want all the illegal citizens to leave the country, irrespective of religion and caste. We are peace loving people and we hope BJP leaders will stop to make such statements,” said Saikia.
“The Assam Accord was a result of 855 lives and six years of agitation. He should have understood the value of it. We urge the state BJP leaders to clear their stand in this regard,” Saikia said.
AGP leadership was instrumental in signing the Assam Accord when they took to the streets as students’ leaders in 1980s. After the accord was signed, the student leaders had formed the AGP.
State BJP leaders tried to avoid the issue by saying that those were his (Swamy’s) personal remarks and nothing to do with the party. “Those were his personal statements and in no way reflect the policy of the party. If I’m guilty how can my party be held responsible for my action?” asked state BJP president Siddharth Bhattacharyya.
All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) said Swamy’s statement will divide the state on religious lines. Expressing grave concern AAMSU president Abdur Rahim Ahmed said such statements will create more problems and added, “An illegal foreigner is a foreigner irrespective of his or her religion, caste or creed. Anybody who has come after March 25, 1971 should be regarded as illegal Bangladeshi.”
All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and All BTC Minority Students’ Union too have flayed Swamy’s statement.