With the mass protests taking momentum in the northeastern region of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, Union Home Minister Kiren Rijiju has expressed his firm stand against the proposed Bill. Along with his stand, Rijiju has made it clear that the Centre has to set the Region's identity as its priority.
Speaking to the media, the Minister has made this stand of his clear after a meeting with the Northeast Women's Front (NWF) in Delhi. This decision of Rijiju has made him the second leader from BJP opposing the Bill after Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma who is an ally of the party.
On one hand, where it can be seen that Meghalaya had given a collective cabinet decision opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill despite the state being a BJP coalition government and now Kiren Rijiju a BJP Union Minister standing with the people of Northeast, on the other hand, there is nothing as such in view when it comes to the leaders of Assam belonging to the BJP party.
The Northeast Women's Front on Monday had submitted a memorandum to Rijiju on this matter as well met Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal seeking his support on the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016. Kejriwal has expressed his concerns and has assured of putting it forth in the Centre.
Whatever decision we take, it should not harm the indigenous people's protection and identity, said Rijiju. Adding to that, he said "I give you my commitment that the Centre has to have a provision giving their priority to the protection and identity of the indigenous people of the region".
NWF key member and former minister of Assam Rekharani Das Boro informed that Arvind kejriwal has extended his support in this matter and that NWF will further meet other state leaders in this context. The party is taking to all means possible to oppose the proposed Bill.
