Raijor Dal president and Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Monday criticised the Assam government’s pushback of alleged illegal Bangladeshi nationals, alleging that the exercise lacks legal validity and is being used to keep the issue politically alive.
Addressing reporters, Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of turning a “non-issue into a political issue” by promoting a pushback strategy instead of establishing a legally recognised mechanism to deport undocumented migrants.
According to Gogoi, the issue of illegal immigration can only be resolved through bilateral discussions between India and Bangladesh. He claimed that neither the Assam government nor the Centre has created a formal framework for the repatriation of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals.
Demanding diplomatic engagement, Gogoi urged the Government of India to initiate talks with Bangladesh and reach an agreement to facilitate the return of illegal Bangladeshi nationals detained in India. He maintained that the current pushback exercise has no legal basis.
The Raijor Dal leader also reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his 2016 election promise to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in Assam—Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasi).
Gogoi said that nearly a decade had passed since the assurance was given and argued that there was no need for another committee to examine the issue. Referring to a Bill introduced in Parliament in 2019, he urged the Centre to reintroduce the legislation and fulfil its commitment.
Commenting on education activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, Gogoi expressed concern over his deteriorating health and appealed to Prime Minister Modi to hold discussions with the concerned stakeholders before the situation worsens.
He also demanded the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging repeated examination paper leaks and urging the Centre to take concrete steps to protect the future of students.