The order of the Central Government to extend the last date of application under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) till 31 December 2024 has created a wave of intense protest in Assam. The order has been termed as a “black day” by the political parties and student organizations of Assam. According to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025 published in the Gazette of India, people of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan will be exempted from the requirement of passport or valid travel documents, provided they have entered India by 31 December 2024.
Sharp attack by opposition and leaders
Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia said that September 1 is another black day for Assam. The government has opened the doors for the entry of people without documents, which is a direct violation of the Assam Accord. At the same time, Riser Dal leader Akhil Gogoi warned that this law will change the demography of Assam. He said, “CAA is a conspiracy to destroy the identity of Assam. The government is continuously extending the date and it may be extended further in the coming times. Eventually crores of people will settle and Assam will reach an existential crisis.”
Allegation of conspiracy and declaration of protest
Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi accused the Center of hatching a conspiracy against Assam. He said, “We have opposed CAA earlier, we do so today and will continue to do so in future. This law is a means to give legitimacy to illegal immigrants.” Meanwhile, KMSS general secretary Bidyut Saikia said that the government has broken the promises made to the people. He said, “The cut-off date of December 31, 2014 has now been extended by another ten years. Even Nepal and Bhutan have been included in it, whereas earlier it was not part of the discussion.”
Announcement of student organizations and preparation for agitation
All Assam Students Union (AASU) has announced to launch a new agitation against this order. AASU General Secretary Samiran Phukan said, “Assam never accepted CAA. When four northeastern states and eight districts of Assam have been exempted from it, then why is the burden being imposed on the entire Assam? If this order is implemented, it will prove fatal for the state.” He announced that the organization will hold a hunger strike from 6 am to 5 pm on September 2. Phukan said that Assam had sacrificed five people in the anti-CAA movements, will their sacrifices go in vain?
