Silent and ‘bald’ protest against Sarba’s decision to leave out Aminul Haque; Will it make a difference?

“Silence speaks louder than words” we all know this phrase very well but today a group of over 100 people from different areas of Barak Valley practiced the phrase live. Moinul Haq Mukta Mancha in Sonai Bazar was the venue for a silent protest against Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s decision to not induct Sonai MLA Aminul Haque Laskar in the council of ministers.

Hindu, Muslim, Bengali, Manipuri people of all caste, community and creed assembled in the public place and joined the protest wearing black mask. Men on the other hand went bald to protest the decision. Since the recently concluded ministry expansion, cloud of disappointment and unjust had covered the entire Barak Valley especially areas under Sonai constituency. Sonai MLA, Aminul Haque is the only Muslim MLA in the entire state and the entire minority committee expected Sonowal to induct Haque in the council. Many representatives of the community went on to question Prime Minister Modi’s Sabka Saath Saabka Vikas philosophy too.

Today, protestors were holding placards which questions Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP’s heavyweight leader while campaigning in Sonai constituency appealed to the voters to vote for Haque and in return he promised the voters that Sonai will get a minister. Now the people living in areas under Sonai constituency questioning Himanta. Because Assam has 126 seats in Assembly it can accomodate upto 19 ministers, after recent expansion the number went up to 18 leaving opportunity for just one more. The protestors today demanded to induct Aminul as the last one, they warned the government if Aminul is not inducted then they will go to State secretariat and call for an indefinite hunger strike.

Loud slogans could sail through Barak. Will this silent and ‘bald’ move make a difference, only time will let us know.