The Assamese community in London and other Indians joined together to protest against the amended Citizenship Act outside the High Commission of India in London on Saturday, 14 December 2019. University students and professionals participated in the protest that was organised by the Facebook group 'Assamese in UK'.
The protestors carried 'gamosas', the white and red cotton hand-woven towel, with slogans like 'No CAB', 'We oppose CAB', 'Stop CAA' written on them. As we went to press, the South Asia Solidarity group have organised another protest on Wednesday 18 December 2019, outside the High Commission. Similar protests will be held in New York outside the Indian Consulate (5pm), along with Delhi (Red Fort, 11am), Mumbai (Ambassador Hotel, Marine Drive, 3pm), Kolkata (Ram Leela Maidan, 2pm), Lucknow (Parivartan Chowk, 2pm) and Bangalore (Mysore Bank Circle, 11am).
Karuna Sagar Das, a prominent face in the diaspora in London, told PTI, that they are demanding revocation of the law, they held a protest gathering against the Act that threatens the linguistic and cultural identity of the Assamese people in Assam.
"We hope to raise awareness against the law at the global platform and also show solidarity with friends and families back home," he said.
An Assamese research student of London School of Economics (LSE) reportedly said, "All Assamese are united against the law and we are also in solidarity with them. We cannot accept a law that threatens our language and culture.”
AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya and general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi thanked the Assamese community in London for raising awareness against the law.
"We are grateful to the Assamese community in London for registering their protest against the law and we urge our brothers and sisters in other countries as well to raise their voice," Gogoi added.
The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) UK chapter organised also its “Bharat Bachao Rally” (Save India) on the same day to coincide with similar protests in New Delhi and around the world, the PTI reported.
“The rally is against the Modi government’s failures, including the economic crisis, high unemployment, farmer distress and divisive politics,” said an IOC UK spokesperson.
The Congress protesters carried banners and placards reading: “Women against BJP” and “Farmers against BJP”.
IOC UK president Kamal Dhaliwal reportedly said, “All sections of our community are suffering today due to the wrong policies of the Modi government.
“The youth needs jobs, women need safety and security, farmers need reasonable prices for their crops. The promises Modi ji made during the elections are nowhere.”
In reference to the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the IOC UK spokesperson added, “CAB is unconstitutional, which has set fire in the North Eastern states.”
