Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti launches ‘Release Akhil’ campaign

GUWAHATI: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) has launched ‘Release Akhil Gogoi’ campaign from Guwahati on Tuesday, demanding release of its jailed leader, who is behind bars for the last nine months over alleged Maoist links.
KMSS said with support pouring in for Akhil from various quarters, the Kalaguru Artist Foundation — headed by popular singer Zubeen Garg — has come forward with financial aid to support the legal battle for his release.
Akhil was booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for alleged Maoist links when he was heading anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) agitation in upper Assam’s Jorhat district in December last year.
“BJP wants to ensure their victory in the ensuing assembly polls by keeping Akhil behind bars. Our movement begins today to make this hidden agenda of the BJP-RSS public and to intensify the protest for his release,” said joint general secretary of the KMSS, Mukut Deka.
He added that the campaign will become a political demand soon, as the peasants’ body is waiting for Akhil’s release to formally launch their political party.
Deka said that after Kalaguru Artist Foundation's donation of Rs 50,000 on Tuesday, their fund raising drive for the legal battle of Akhil and other jailed activists of the KMSS has succeeded to collect around Rs 23 lakhs. Few days ago, another musician and anti-CAA activist Manash Robin donated Rs 2 lakhs for the cause.
Controversies erupted after Zubeen, despite being at loggerheads with the BJP-led government over differences on CAA, recently met chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and later agriculture minister Atul Bora, which was heavily criticized by many from the political and apolitical organizations.
Agriculture minister Bora, after coordial discussions with Zubeen, even said that he wants the famed singer-musician to be the brand ambassador to promote the state's agri sector. However, the Kalaguru Artist Foundation contributing towards the expenditure borne for Akhil's legal battle has once again revealed his solidarity with the anti-CAA movement that is going to be one of key political issues for the upcoming assembly polls, KMSS insiders said.
Zubeen's wife Garima Saikia Garg, an active associate of the foundation, told TOI, “We have supported the legal battle going on in the court for justice to Akhil. He should get legal assistance.” She clarified that Zubeen and his team were still against CAA and will remain firm on the stand till the contentious legislation is withdrawn. Recently, a large number of artists, who were part of the anti-CAA movement, had joined BJP, but, Garima said, ”We will continue opposing CAA, till it is repealed.”