

AJYCP activists at a protest rally against CAA at Jorhat, on Saturday.  UB Photos AJYCP activists at a protest rally against CAA at Jorhat, on Saturday.  UB Photos

Representatives of over 30 organisations and people from all sections of the society and all walks of life holding banners and placards participated in the rally that started from the Jorhat Stadium. The rally passed through KB Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road and concluded in front of the Jorhat Deputy Commissioners office complex.

The protesters shouted slogans against the BJP-led Governments at the Centre and State and pledged to continue the agitation in a peaceful and democratic manner.

AJYCP State unit president Rana Pratap Baruah, general secretary Polash Changmai, musician and singer Jayanta Nath were among the those who addressed the people at the Jorhat Stadium before taking out the rally.

They came down heavily on the Central and State Governments and BJP, AGP leaders of Delhi for not listening to the voices of masses of Assam who were opposing the Act that has posed serious threat to survival of Assamese language, other indigenous languages and their cultures.

Artists, musicians and poets performed with renditions of songs and recitation of poems in praise of Assam motherland.

AJYCP State unit finance secretary Siva Kalita thanked the people of Jorhat for coming out in large numbers and joining the rally which was for the protecting the identity of the Assamese society.

ANN Service adds from Sivasagar: Addressing a well-attended anti-CAA rally at Tai Ahom Kristi Vikash Kendra, Sivasagar on Friday, AJYCP general secretary Polash Changmai said that New Delhi has been trying to make the Assamese people Indian rather forcefully which will lead to the loss of our unique language and culture. But the people will resist this tooth and nail. First we are Assamese and then Indians, he added.

He also said that the ongoing movement is not against any religion, but to preserve our language which is ranked 65 in terms of speakers and is endangered now due to the aggression of Bengali, which occupies the fourth position. Basanta Gogoi, vice-president, ATASU, said that the movement is against illegal infiltrators to safeguard our language and culture and any threats from Delhi and Dispur cannot dissuade the people from the agitation.

Sarat Hazarika, education secretary, AASU, said that the CAA violates the secular principles of the Constitution. Diganta Mangal Neog, secretary, Sivasagar Bar Association, said that the Act is distinctly harmful for the interests of the Assamese people. The rally was attended among others by Kula Pd Saikia, central executive member, AJYCP, Dibyajyoti Das, president, AJYCP, district committee, Samiran Phukan, secretary, Sivasagar district AASU, Parashar Das, secretary, Sivasagar District SC Students Union.