||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh August 15,2024||

In a significant development, Dulon Das, a 50-year-old man from Assam, has become the first individual in the state to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019. Das, originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh, entered India in 1988 and settled in Silchar, Cachar district. His citizenship approval has reignited debates around the CAA, sparking strong reactions from opposition parties, student groups, and civil society in Assam.

Citizenship Process:Dulon Das applied for Indian citizenship via the dedicated online portal on April 1, 2024, under the provisions of the CAA, which allows Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who entered India before December 31, 2014, to apply for citizenship after five years of residence. His application was approved, and he was informed by the Union Home Ministry to collect his citizenship certificate.

Das provided a land deed from 1986 in Sylhet and had managed to acquire various government documents, such as a voter ID, driving license, PAN, and Aadhaar cards, despite his illegal status. He is married to an Indian woman, and they have two children born in Assam.

Government’s Position:

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) for their claims that CAA would lead to a large influx of Bangladeshi nationals being granted Indian citizenship. Sarma pointed out that only one person has been granted citizenship so far, accusing AASU of misleading the public and destabilizing the government. He further stated that the next time AASU observes martyr day, the government will observe it as a day of betrayal, urging AASU to apologize for their actions.

Opposition and Public Reaction:

AASU’s Response:Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya, chief adviser of AASU, reiterated the organization’s stance against the CAA, labeling the government’s implementation as forceful and disrespectful to the people of Assam. He suggested that if the number of applicants is negligible, the Assam CM should discuss with the Prime Minister the possibility of settling them in Gujarat, rather than Assam.

Political Opposition: Raijor Dal President Akhil Gogoi strongly condemned the decision, calling the CAA a threat to Assam’s identity and democracy. Gogoi highlighted the sacrifices made during the anti-CAA protests in 2019, where five youths lost their lives, asserting that the government’s actions undermine these sacrifices.

Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP):Lurinjyoti Gogoi, President of AJP, expressed grave concern over the granting of citizenship under CAA, arguing that it threatens the identity of indigenous Assamese people and renders the Assam Accord ineffective. Gogoi emphasized that while only one person has received citizenship so far, the process has begun, which could lead to more illegal immigrants being granted citizenship, accusing the BJP government of engaging in vote-bank politics.

Impact on Assam Accord:

The Assam Accord, signed in 1985, was a landmark agreement intended to address the issue of illegal immigration in Assam. According to the Accord, any foreigner entering the state after March 25, 1971, was to be identified, their names deleted from the electoral rolls, and they would be deported. The opposition argues that the CAA undermines this agreement, as it provides a legal pathway for certain illegal immigrants to gain citizenship, contrary to the Accord’s provisions.

Broader Implications:

The granting of citizenship to Das under the CAA has reignited concerns about the Act’s impact on Assam’s demographic and cultural identity. The opposition fears that this may be the first step in a larger process that could see many more immigrants being granted citizenship, which they believe could further marginalize the indigenous population.

The citizenship granted to Dulon Das under the CAA has not only sparked a political firestorm in Assam but also reopened old wounds related to the sensitive issue of illegal immigration. The controversy highlights the deep-seated fears and divisions that persist in Assam regarding the CAA and its implications for the region’s identity and future. The coming days are likely to see intensified debates and protests, as opposition parties and civil society groups continue to challenge the government’s policies on citizenship and immigration.