Karnataka polls: Assamese people want end to racial discrimination

GUWAHATI: Assamese people living in Bengaluru have sought an end to “racial discrimination” they face in Karnataka at times, even as political leaders knock the doors of Assam residents settled in Bengaluru this election time.
Both CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Assam PCC chief Bhupen Borah were campaigning in Bengaluru on Monday to woo the voters. They are specially eyeing “Assamese votes,” estimated to be about 1 lakh.
Pranab Jyoti Bora, who is from Tezpur in northern Assam, has been residing in Bengaluru for the last 13 years. A resident of Marathahalli in the eastern suburb of Bengaluru city now, Bora owns an interior designing firm in the city and established himself in the Garden City. But the plight of those Assam-origin wage earners who are not well versed in English or Hindu or local languages remains a concern for him, he said.
“Racial discrimination has reduced but still exists, especially in areas on the city outskirts. Communication barriers between locals of Karnataka and northeast youths exist mainly due to language issues,” said Bora. He added that evolving a government mechanism to address the grievances of the Assamese people by connecting both the Karnataka and Assam government is what they desire from the next government.
“Issues arise at times where the workers from Assam face problems from their management. Some workers face issues during hospital treatment due to lack of money. At the government level, we need a mechanism to reach out to the government at times of need,” he said.
Ranjan Goswami, a senior office bearer of Assam Association, Bangalore, said, “Discrimination is something which we never want to face here in Bengaluru. It is an issue about which many northeast people, including those from Assam, still complain. It is the prime issue for us this election,”
While the association has been connecting the victims with police and administration for a solution to their grievances, a mechanism at government level is still lacking. The Assamese fraternity was interacting with CM Sarma in Bengaluru on Monday evening where the Assam Association members had interacted with him on ensuring a safe stay. But the Assamese fraternity has no political bias and even met Assam Congress leaders too, seeking a healthy environment, if the Grand Old Party returns to power.