Sushmita Dev, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha share same stage, calls to unite for language

By barakbulletin On December 13, 2021 - 1:39 pm

A citizen’s meet was called at the conference hall of Silchar’s Rajiv Bhawan to raise a collective voice against Government’s direct and indirect attempts to armtwist democratic dissent. One of the emerging trend is charging people under section 124 – A commonly known as sedition. Recently, the same charges were clamped against Barak Democratic Front’s chief Pradip Dutta Roy when he protested against violation of Assam Official Language Amendment Act. 1961. Same charges were imposed against a journalist for an editorial published in Barak Bulletin.

After Sushmita Dev moved away from Congress to join the All India Trinamool Congress, this was the first time she shared a stage with former colleague and North Karimganj MLA, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha. Former vice chancellor of Assam University, Tapodhir Bhattacharjee was also present in the meeting and so was Islamic Scholar, Sarimul Haque Laskar. Former MLA, Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya also shared his views.

Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Sushmita Dev both ensured that they will extend their full support to the movement to safeguard the identity of Bengali. They condemned and alleged that the government of Assam is misusing Section 124- A (Sedition) and 144 CrPC. Sushmita Dev went on to say that if needed, the doors or High Court and Supreme Court must be knocked.

Sarimul Haque Laskar added that Bengalis today are divided as Hindus and Muslims, businessmen and employees and so, the importance and emotions attached with mother tongue is hardly a highlight. He too called for unity in diversity but was apprehensive if that is ever going to happen.

His words reflected in the attendance. A citizens meet on such an important issue could not fill the entire conference hall of Rajiv Bhavan which has a capacity of hardly 200 individuals.

However, the message sent from the stage was clear and loud. The house decided to form a steering committee soon and both Purkayastha and Dev ensured their support to the committee.