Guwahati, 15th July: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has addressed concerns over citizenship cases under the amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), asserting that the state government will not drop any cases but instead encourages applicants to follow the legal process diligently.
In a recent press briefing, Sarma disclosed that a mere eight individuals have applied for citizenship under the CAA in the past four months. Shockingly, only two of these applicants have attended their scheduled interviews.
“When I spoke with several Hindu Bengali families regarding their reluctance to apply under CAA, they expressed faith in their Indian citizenship, having arrived in India before 1971. They prefer to validate their citizenship through judicial means rather than opting for the CAA route,” explained Sarma.
Responding to queries about alleged reports of cases being dropped against Hindu Bengalis, Sarma firmly clarified, “Such reports are misleading. We cannot drop any cases. Our stance is to advise potential applicants to first apply through the designated portal. Even if cases are filed subsequently, those eligible for citizenship under CAA will ultimately receive it.”
Sarma also highlighted ongoing initiatives in Barak Valley aimed at boosting awareness and encouraging more applications under CAA, despite the current minimal response from the community.
The Chief Minister’s statements underscore the state government’s commitment to navigating citizenship issues transparently while respecting legal frameworks and community sentiments.