Sparking a new controversy, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) sponsored the six-year-long anti-foreigners movement in Assam between 1979 to 1985.
Gogoi said this while addressing a Press conference on Saturday and added that the anti-foreigners’ movement (1979-85) was originally against all outsiders. “However, the agitation leaders later directed the movement against the Bangladeshi infiltrators to suit the needs of the RSS,” Gogoi said.
“The Assam Agitation was sponsored by the RSS. BJP leaders AB Vajpayee and Arun Shourie were the guides. RSS had provided funds for the agitation. All funds for the agitation were given by the RSS,” he said adding that the RSS had tried to exploit the sentiments of the people here.
“RSS is trying to reopen the old wound by making former minister and now BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma state that the year of detection and deportation of foreigners must be changed from 1971 to 1951,” he said.
It may be mentioned here that the anti-foreigners movement spearheaded by the All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) culminated with the signing of the Assam accord in 1985 which has agreed on March 31, 1971 as the year for detection and deportation of foreigners.
The Assam Chief Minister has also made this an election issue before second phase of Assam assembly polls which concluded in April 11. Gogoi, however, exuded confidence that his party will secure majority and will win at least 65 seats out of total 126 and will form the next Government in the State.