Complaints lodged against Assam Governor PB Acharya for ‘anti-minority’ remarks

A former minister of Assam has formally lodged complaints with President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari against state Governor PB Acharya for making ‘unconstitutional’ remarks against minorities.

Registering his complaint, former minister and president of the Assam Minority Council, Mohibul Haq said Governor Acharya must be booked.

“He must be arrested under the National Security Act and legal action must be taken against the governor,” Haq told bdnews24.com.

Haq was referring to Acharya’s comment made in Guwahati on Saturday where he had reportedly said, “Hindustan is for Hindus and all others are free to go to Pakistan or Bangladesh.”

In memoranda submitted to the president and vice-president, Haq accused the Assam governor of making an unconstitutional statement and demanded Acharya’s removal.

Haq has also decided to approach the opposition leaders on Thursday, the day the winter session of Parliament will begin.

“I will meet all opposition leaders so that they can raise the issue on the floor of the House against the governor,” said Haq.

Acharya’s reported statement has already evoked sharp criticism in Assam with almost all the political parties raising the issue.

Non-BJP parties have branded the governor as an agent of Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangha (RSS).

Sources in the Congress said the party was also planning to include the issue in its campaign for next year’s Assembly election in the state.

But Acharya has denied making such a comment and claimed that the media twisted his remarks.

“I did not just say Hindustan is only for Hindus. I only said Hindus from different countries can come and stay here,” he said.

“They (Indian Muslims) are free to go anywhere. They can stay here (in India). If they want to go to Bangladesh or Pakistan, they are free to go. Many of them have gone to Pakistan. But if they are persecuted there…Taslima Nasreen was persecuted there (Bangladesh), she came here. If they come, we will give them shelter,” said Acharya.