Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his allegations against the Indian National Congress, accusing the party of supporting infiltrators in Assam and opposing action against illegal land encroachments.
Addressing a public meeting in Barpeta, the Prime Minister claimed that the Congress was attempting to bring laws that could treat infiltrators as “victims”, which would put the state’s indigenous population in danger.
Prime Minister Modi said, “Bharatiya Janata Party is freeing such lands from all kinds of illegal encroachments. Congress is openly supporting the infiltrators. Congress is opposing action against illegal encroachments. Congress wants to make such a law in Assam that if anyone uses the word ‘infiltrator’, he can be jailed. Congress will declare the infiltrators as victims in this law, and most of the tribal people here will be in danger of being jailed.”
The Prime Minister further alleged that the Congress had allowed infiltrators to take over thousands of bighas of land belonging to the sacred sanctuaries of Barpeta, including properties belonging to revered Vaishnav saints like Srimanta Sankardev, Madhavdev, Damodardev and Haridev.
He said, “Barpeta is known as the land of our sacred Satras. The traditions of revered Gurus like Srimanta Sankardev, Madhavdev, Damodardev and Haridev are worthy of worship. This is our faith. But the Congress handed over our faith to infiltrators. Thousands of bighas of land belonging to our sacred Satras were taken over by Congress. Congress allowed the infiltrators to take over. Even a large part of the Barpeta Satra land is under illegal occupation. Congress allowed illegal encroachment on the land of Assam.”
Highlighting the cultural and spiritual heritage of Assam, Prime Minister Modi tried to establish harmony between culture, nature and faith, citing the example of Hudum worship of the Bodo community and Bathau religion of the Koch-Rajbongshi community. He alleged that Congress gave priority to political power over the interests of the state, which has harmed Assam and its traditions.
Prime Minister Modi further said, “The Indian National Congress can do anything for power, and Assam has suffered a huge loss for it. The Hudum puja of our Bodo community and the Bathau faith of the Koch-Rajbongshi community are wonderful examples of the harmony of culture, nature and faith.”
Voting for the 126-member assembly in Assam will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
