AIUDF, Aamsu oppose 1951 as cutoff year for defining 'Assamese people'

GUWAHATI: The opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the All Assam Minority Students' Union (Aamsu) have raised strong objections to 1951 being made the cut off year for defining who is an Assamese. There has been widespread speculation that the high level committee of the Union home ministry on Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has finalised 1951 as the final year. The panel will be framing recommendations for the implementation of the key clause on providing constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to the 'Assamese people'.
AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam said, "If 1951 is the cut-off year for deciding who are the Assamese people, what will happen to those who entered Assam between 1951 and 1971 and are already enjoying privilege as citizens of India?"
He wondered what would happen to those who entered the country until 2014 and may even get citizenship if the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is implemented. "If their rights and privileges are infringed upon, it may trigger permanent unrest. The Assamese people or the term indigenous in Assam should be defined on the basis of March 24, 1971 as has been fixed in the Assam Accord for the detection and deportation of foreigners," said Ajmal.
Aamsu adviser Azizur Rahman was of the opinion that the new date would further complicate the foreigners' issue.
"About 35% of the people of Assam do not have their 1951 NRC data. Even the government does not have their citizenship records. How will they prove their roots prior to 1951?" he asked and added that those who came to Assam prior to 1971 and have embraced Assamese language, literature and culture, should be treated equally.
All Assam Students' Union president Dipanka Kumar Nath, a member of the clause committee, hinted that constitutional safeguard would be given to the people who have been residing in Assam prior to 1951.
The Clause 6 of the Assam Accord stated that constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards would be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. A consensus could not be reached over the years to define who are the Assamese people.
"Assam has shouldered the burden of foreigners, who entered India between 1951 and 1971. A constitutional safeguard should be there for the Assamese people who were in the state 20 years prior to 1971, the cut off year fixed in the Assam Accord," said Nath..