Darjeeling: "NRC challenges the fundamental concept of India. It is nothing but a diversion tactic that the Government is indulging in to swerve public attention from issues that actually matter. A strong consensus has to be built up and people have to unite to do away with this conspiracy," said Kanhaiya Kumar, former president of JNU Student Union.
Kanhaiya was is Siliguri on Friday from where the "Mountain to Sea - March Against NRC" was flagged off. The march will culminate in a mammoth rally in Kolkata on December 9.
Kumar stated that the Chief Minister was welcome to join this people's movement if she harboured similar views.
"This movement is not for electoral gains. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome. There is no Left, Right or Centre in this movement. Anyone who feels that pluralism of this country is being threatened. Whoever believes in unity in diversity can join the movement irrespective of community, religion, language or political affiliation. Anyone who is against divisive politics can join the movement. If Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government has taken a similar stand then Mamata Didi is most welcome," said Kanhaiya Kumar.
He said the day being the birth anniversary of the great tribal leader and revolutionary Birsa Munda and the place being Siliguri from where many historic people's movement were given shape are both significant to this historic movement.
Talking about NRC, Kanhaiya Kumar questioned: "How can the Union Home Minister time and again hint that except for Muslims all will be made citizens? It is against the Constitution. This country does not differentiate on the lines of colour, caste, religion, language and gender. All are equal."
He said the BJP is looking for issues to make inroads in North East and West Bengal.
"They are preparing ground for this. They are indulging in divisive politics. However, they do not understand the politics of this region. Here cultural and linguistic identity has more importance than religious identity. The creation of Bangladesh is an example of this. For thousands of years we have remained united. Divisive politics will just weaken the country," said Kanhaiya Kumar.
Kumar said the fiasco was nothing but diversion tactics. "They want to engage people in things like collecting 70-year-old documents so that people don't question them on important issues like the crumbling economy, farmer suicides. The worst affected are people from the lower income strata," stated Kumar.
He stated that such people don't have documents. "The migrant workers, the daily wage workers, the tea garden workers don't have land or buildings. Where will they get property documents from to prove that they have been residing here for generations?" questioned Kumar.
The march is being organised by Joint Forum Against NRC. The march will pass through Chakulia, Gangarampur, Itahar, Malda, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Nadia, North 24-Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly and will culminate in the rally in Kolkata on December 9.
"We will start with West Bengal and will spread the message throughout the country," added Pleasenjit Bose, one of the convenors.