Congress mocks PM Modi for tweeting to Assamese protesters amid internet shut down

Guwahati: Even as the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill have been going violent in various parts of northeast especially in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to appeal to the protesters to calm down saying nobody can take away their rights. In a series of tweets, the PM wrote:

"I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I want to assure them- no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow. The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6."

In response to the tweet, opposition party Congress tweeted:

"Our brothers & sisters in Assam cannot read your 'reassuring' message Modiji, in case you've forgotten, their internet has been cut off. " reminding the government about its move to cut off the internet in ten districts of Assam. The internet has been shut down in 10 districts of Assam, a curfew has been imposed and army forces have been deployed to the districts to combat the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Protests have been going on in Assam for the last two days since the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members passed the bill that is being touted as unconstitutional. The Citizenship Amendment Bill seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh under the belief that non-Muslims in those countries are facing prosecution. The move is being touted as anti-Muslim and Muslim leaders have vehemently opposed the bill, which was passed by both the houses.