Erase CAB from manifesto : Student bodies to BJP
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 09 2019: Vehemently condemning the BJP election manifesto which promises to pass CAB if the party comes to power, six student bodies of the State have announced that they are ready to launch intense forms of agitation if the said assurance turns into a reality.

The student bodies have also demanded BJP Manipur Pradesh to announce its stand to the public at the earliest.

Speaking to media persons at DESAM office at Sagolband Moirang Leirak today, its vice president Nameirakpam Edison said that the assurance to pass the CAB in point number 12 of the BJP election manifesto, is highly disappointing and added that the six student bodies, DESAM, AMSU, MSF, KSA, SUK and AIMS, strongly condemn such a move on the part of the BJP.

He conveyed that recently, Manipur and the whole North East witnessed a tense atmosphere and the region was engulfed in chaos after the CAB was passed in the Lok Sabha.

The situation took a turn for the worse after the Central Government attempted to pass the CAB in the Rajya Sabha although it was eventually scrapped due to pressure from the public.

However, just as the people were heaving a sigh of relief and normalcy began returning to the region, BJP included the promise to pass the CAB in its election manifesto which is an open insult to the people of Manipur and the entire North East, Edison said.

Demanding BJP Manipur State unit to clarify its stand regarding the party election manifesto to the public at the earliest, the DESAM leader mentioned that the decision of the BJP in including such a highly controversial Bill in its manifesto shows complete lack of regard for the people.

On the other hand, Edison rebuked the BJP's statement which accompanied the assurance to pass the CAB, which mentioned that necessary clarifications will be made to clear the apprehension about CAB among the people.

So, as per BJP's viewpoint, the people of the North East have no idea or knowledge about the Bill, which is highly condemnable, he added.

There are no points left for the BJP to clarify to the people of the North East regarding CAB, he explained.

Edison then questioned as to how the BJP plans to protect the language, culture and tradition of the indigenous people and narrated that even after more than 40 lakh illegal migrants were identified after updating NRC in Assam no steps have been taken up to deport the said people till date.

On the other hand, Edison further alleged that the BJP's assurance in its manifesto to protect the social identity, culture and language of the indigenous people while at the same time legalising the illegal migrants, is similar to making a fool out of the people of the North East.

Warning against any attempt to pass CAB, Edison said that six student bodies are ready to launch an even more intense agitation compared to the past, if the CAB is passed by force.

The student bodies will also boycott National symbols, National anthem, Hindi, National emblems etc, he warned.

In the past, there was a grand reception event at the airport following the claims that the Central Government decided to scrap the CAB from the Rajya Sabha after intervention and pressure from the State Government.

It is the duty of the BJP Manipur Pradesh to clarify what role it will play concerning the inclusion of the assurance to pass the CAB in the election manifesto of the party, he asked.

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