Attention should not be diverted from non-violent dem struggle

Prominent citizens of Assam Saturday described as "unconstitutional" the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 and appealed that care should be taken that attention was not diverted from the "non-violent democratic struggle" against it.

The 22 signatories of the appeal included litterateur Hiren Gohain, noted filmmaker Jahnu Barua, senior journalist Manjit Mahanta, Director General of Police and Sahitya Akademi awardee Harekrishna Deka and academicians Udayditya Bharali and Dinesh Baishya.

The Narendra Modi led government's attempt to get the Bill passed in both the houses of Parliament is an attempt to create a rift between the Assamese and Bengalis in the state and also to bring a divide among its different indigenous communities, they alleged.

"The government and fundamental organisations are trying to forcefully enact the (Citizenship) Bill and a spontaneous movement against it has been launched across the region.

"We must be, however, very careful that there is no ...