Gogoi wants refugee status for Bangladeshis

GUWAHATI: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has advocated refugee status for people who had to leave their countries owing to persecution, atrocities or violence. Calling on the Centre to take measures in this regard, Gogoi told a press conference on Monday that he had raised the issue of showing “humanitarian consideration” with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to the state.
Political observers said though the chief minister did not mention name of any country by name, his statement implicitly referred to Bangladesh as he has nothing to do with those who entered other parts of India from West Pakistan. Gogoi said that during the assembly election last year he had even mentioned about giving refugee status to Hindu Bengalis who fled Bangladesh and settled in the state. “I have mentioned in our manifesto about giving refugee status to Hindus who came from Bangladesh,” Gogoi said.
But Gogoi did not want himself to be seen championing a cause of the BJP, which has long been demanding refugee status for Hindus from Bangladeshi. In Monday’s statement, Gogoi has gone beyond one particular community, saying that there are Buddhists, Christians and even Muslims who have left their countries due to persecution and atrocities. “BJP is only raising the cause for Hindus. I have been taking this for Buddhists, Christians and Muslims along with Hindus,” Gogoi argued.
“For the first time I have raised the issue with the Centre so that there is more discussion on the topic. What I am saying is that these people should not be prosecuted when they enter our state or another in the country. These people should be given humanitarian treatment and refugee status,” Gogoi said.
Though Gogoi added that his views will not have a negative fallout in relation with Bangladesh, the statement is set to trigger a volley of controversies at home, especially because the Assam Accord has clearly mentioned March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date for deportation of those who entered the state from Bangladesh. The influential All Assam Students Union has been vociferously saying that irrespective of religious affiliations, whoever entered Assam from Bangladesh after the cut-off date should be deported.
“What I am saying about humanitarian consideration and refugee status has nothing to do with Assam Accord,” Gogoi replied. In the memorandum the state government submitted to Prime Minister recently, Gogoi said: “Those persons who were Indian citizens at the time of partition and were subsequently compelled to leave their homes due to persecution, atrocities and insecurity of life and property deserve humanitarian consideration.”
Although the political implication of Gogoi’s latest statement is not known yet, such remark did have its impact during last year’s assembly polls. The chief minister’s assurance of giving Hindus refugee status in election rallies helped the Congress garner votes, especially in Barak valley. One thing is certain, though is certain: With this statement Gogoi has blunted BJP’s weapon tool for consolidating Hindu votes.