Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a bold stance, declaring he will step down if new individuals are allowed to enter the State under the Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA.
In a recent interaction with the media, CM Himanta addressed concerns surrounding the CAA, pointing out that individuals have the right to apply for citizenship through online channels without the need for street protests. He assured of taking stringent measures to identify those responsible for the tragic loss of lives during previous protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill or CAB.
The Assam CM sought to clarify misconceptions about the CAA, affirming that only individuals present in Bharat before 2014 would be eligible for citizenship, with strict adherence to existing protocols such as the National Register of Citizens-NRC.
With unwavering determination, he stated, “If a single new person enters Assam, I will resign as the chief minister.”
Expressing scepticism about the number of potential applicants, CM Himanta suggested the actual figures is likely to be minimal, as few would voluntarily identify themselves as foreigners to apply for citizenship. However, he warned of potential consequences should the number of applicants exceed expectations, indicating his readiness to join protests if necessary.
