MLA in line of fire for demanding minority council

Guwahati, June 6 (UNI) An Asom United Democratic Front(AUDF) MLA's reportedly demand for an autonomous council for the 'minorities' has set off a furore in the state with organisations demanding action against the legislator.

Asom Public Works, an NGO, today burnt the effigy of AUDF MLA Rashul Haque Bahadur while the Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP) has demanded the Prime Minister to book the legislator under 'appropriate sections' of the National Security Act.

As per media reports, Mr Bahadur raised the demand for an autonomous council engulfing the districts of Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara and Darrang in lower Asom ''for the welfare of minorities of the state.'' Mr Bahadur said, ''During the past 50 years, little was done for the welfare of the minorities in Asom. The demand for a separate council for the minorities is within the purview of the Indian Constitution.'' However, the AUDF party which Mr Bahadur represents, has washed off its hands from the demand.

Condemning the remark of the MLA, the VHP said, ''the demand is a stepping stone for the creation of an Islamic state in the NE.'' State VHP president Jyotish Chandra Parashar at a press conference today said, ''Who authorised Mr Bahadur to speak of behalf of the minorities? We urge the prime minister not to ignore the statement and book the MLA under appropriate sections of the National Security Act.'' ''Such a demand is condemnable by also section of society in the region. The statement is against the interest of national security,'' he added.

The Asom Public Works(APW) secretary general Bitu Talukdar said the MLA intends to break communal harmony of the state.

''Our organisation will not tolerate any religion-based politics.

He raised the demand surely in the behest of the fundamentalist elements,'' Mr Talukdar added.

The MLAs demand assumes significance because it comes at a time when there are slogans in favour of updating the National Register of Citizens as well as against the delimitation of the constituencies.

UNI