New Delhi:
During a debate in the Rajya Sabha today, BJP leader Arun Jaitley blamed vote bank politics for the situation in Assam. "Pursuit of an alternative vote bank is responsible for the root cause of the problem (in Assam) today...If you (Government) stick to vote bank politics, the security of Assam will be in doubt," he said.
Here are the highlights of what Mr Jaitley and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said:
BJP's Arun Jaitley- North-East is a very sensitive region for India
- One of the regions badly affected because of India's partition. The link is very narrow
- North-East moved a good 1200 kilometres away - life was made difficult
- This is one area where we shouldn't have had any political differences on how to deal with it
- Unfortunately, somewhere post-independence, the line which Congress took in Assam was altered by subsequent leaders
- They realised ethnic Assamese vote was going away. It was pursuit of an alternative vote bank that is responsible for the root cause of the problem today
- This design unconsciously was for vote-bank politics. This overlapped with designs across the border (quotes from Zulfiqar Bhutto's book)
- Most unprecedented demographic changes have been seen in Assam - linked to concerns of national security
- In 2001, Dhubri had a population of immigrants at 71%. In 2011, it is likely to cross 80%. This is right next to the Bangladesh border
- We have allowed this encroachment. So the question now arises how do we get rid of these people under the due process of law
- You (the government) should have applied the Foreigners Act, but the government said that this act will not suit Assam. So you brought the IMDT and you made a law that made detection and deportation impossible
- The Supreme Court struck down the IMDT Act and said it encouraged a silent invasion of India. So the government was forced to go back to Foreigners Act - but it made changes
- In places like Dhubri, there is pressure on land and resources. Fortunately we have the benefit of Mr Shinde who is looking at this matter afresh.
- Please have clarity of thoughts on what is the approach.
- The statement that we expect is how did the demographic character change and is this social tension a fall out of that
- Please address the larger issue
- Cannot have more than 800 KM border with Bangladesh unfenced
- If you stick to the vote bank politics, the security of Assam will be in doubt
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde
- This country belongs to all of us. What bothers you bothers us.
- You referred to the Assam accord Rajiv Gandhi signed - Assam is a matter of concern, it isn't a matter for partisan politics
- We should not raise the Hindu-Muslim (communal) pitch
- We are going through difficult times
- The government is making efforts
- The North-East states need our help
(Jaya Bachchan stood up and intervened during Mr Shinde's reply) - Shinde then said: Meri behen please baith jao (My Sister, please sit). This is not a filmy issue but a serious issue
Arun Jaitley: - Jaya Bachchan is a respected member. Mr Shinde cannot make a taunt or comment on her
(Mr Shinde then apologised)
Sushil Kumar Shinde: - I know the entire family. I have great respect for her