By Muslim Mirror Desk
Firebrand peasant leader Akhil Gogoi on January 27th, 2019 said Assam “will be bound” to “quit India” if the NDA-led BJP government at the Centre fails to “respect” the sentiments of the indigenous people of the state.
Gogoi made the statement while addressing a huge gathering in Panitola of Tinsukia district during the Bishal Gana Pratibad against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
“If need and situation arises, Assam must be able to say that it will not remain with India. It’s clear… If it (government) respects us, we will be with India otherwise we will quit,” said Gogoi, a vocal opponent of the BJP and RSS. “We should have the courage to make it clear to the Government like Mizoram,” he further added.
An FIR has been lodged by the Latasil Police on January 8th, 2019 against Gogoi along with Sahitya Akademi awardee Hiren Gohain journalist Manjit Mahanta for allegedly making secessionist remarks at an event in Guwahati over the Bill issue.
It may be mentioned that Gogoi was charged with sedition and subsequently under the National Security Act (NSA), for a speech in September 2017. He was later absolved of the charges by the court and released from jail in December 2017.