RSS jittery over Assam situation but expresses confidence

Guwahati: The anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests continued unabated in Assam, forcing ruling BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to contact people and dispel notions about the Act. The RSS accepted that the 'protests will continue for some time'. However, it is confident that they will die down. The protests, which is bitter in upper and central Assam and in capital Guwahati, began on December 9. RSS has a strong presence in the upper Assam areas, including among the tea tribes.
A senior RSS leader told ET: “We are holding meetings with our local units. They will contact people and explain CAA, countering the misinformation that it will trigger exodus of Hindus from Bangladesh and Assam will be flooded with illegal immigrants.” “The protests will continue for some time. However, they will die down. The attempt to enact Assam-type agitation, which continued for six years, will not work this time. We will counter with facts,” the RSS leader said.

Assam witnessed six-year anti-foreigners’ movement during 1979-1985, culminating in the Assam Accord of 1985. The leader said: “The protests are largely happening in towns and are backed by some students’ organisations, a farmer’s group and political parties opposed to BJP. Tribals aren’t supporting the movement.” Last month, protesters across Assam had attacked BJP offices, houses of BJP MLAs and RSS offices.

The RSS leader said: “Our campaign will counter the misinformation spread by protesters that exodus from Bangladesh will threaten Assam’s demography, culture, language and tradition. Unlike 1979, people of Assam are much informed now and we are better placed in different corners of the state.”