Opposition parties in Assam have urged President Droupadi Murmu to intervene and repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), threatening to initiate a "democratic mass movement" across the state if their demand is not addressed.
The United Opposition Forum Assam (UOFA), comprising 16 parties, submitted a memorandum to Murmu through Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, highlighting the perceived unconstitutional nature of the CAA and its potential to undermine the historic Assam Accord of 1985.
The UOFA urged the President to direct the Centre to refrain from implementing the CAA in Assam, labeling it as "unconstitutional and anti-national." They warned of resorting to a democratic mass movement if the Government of India fails to heed their demand.
The memorandum emphasized the widespread protests against the CAA since its introduction in Parliament in 2019, accusing the BJP-led government of disregarding the sentiments of the people of Assam by passing the law based solely on numerical superiority.
Assam Congress president Bhupem Kumar Borah reiterated the opposition's firm stance against the CAA and expressed their intent to seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to voice their opposition to the implementation of the law.
Assam TMC chief Ripun Bora affirmed that opposition parties would take to the streets if the government proceeds with its plan to enforce the CAA. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), alleged that the controversial law aims to incite religious polarization ahead of the general elections.
The CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to certain religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, but has been met with widespread opposition in Assam and other parts of the country.
The UOFA announced plans for a state-wide bandh and the "gherao" of the Janata Bhawan (secretariat) in protest against the implementation of the contentious act.