Shah assures UCC exemption for adivasis, pushes welfare agenda in Assam campaign rally
Addressing rallies in Palasbari and Dudhnoi, Amit Shah also promised tribal welfare, farmer benefits, and continued action against infiltration
Amit Shah (Photo - @AmitShah / X)
Guwahati, April 3: Placing special emphasis on protecting tribal interests, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday assured that the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam would not be implemented for Adivasi communities, even as he outlined a broader agenda of development, welfare expansion, and action against illegal infiltration during election rallies across the state.
Reiterating the BJP’s intent to introduce the UCC, Shah said the policy would be implemented carefully. “We will bring the Uniform Civil Code in Assam, but it will not apply to our Adivasi brothers and sisters. We know where it should be levied and where it should not. Our government respects tribal traditions and will safeguard them,” he stated, addressing a massive rally in Dudhnoi in Goalpara district
Shah also addressed a public rally in Palasbari, where he stated that Assam is poised to once again back the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Assam is ready to vote for the Modi-led BJP again to continue peace and development,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s natural beauty, Shah added, “I travelled by road to Palasbari and saw the lush greenery, definitely God has blessed Assam with abundant natural wealth.”
He, however, launched a strong attack on the Congress, accusing it of enabling demographic challenges.
“The Congress handed over Assam to infiltrators. The BJP is identifying and removing infiltrators, and we will continue this process until the last infiltrator is dealt with,” Shah asserted.
On development, Shah accused the Congress of obstructing key initiatives.
“We wanted to develop Palasbari as an education hub, but the Congress opposed the IIM Palasbari bill,” he said. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, he added, “He questioned why land was given for a semiconductor project, but it was Prime Minister Modi who gifted Assam a semiconductor plant to boost technological growth.”
Earlier Shah’s scheduled rally at Golakganj in Dhubri district was cancelled due to a technical issue with his helicopter. Unable to land, he addressed the gathering over the phone.
“I apologise for not being able to attend due to technical reasons. After the BJP’s victory, I will come and join your celebrations,” he said, urging voters to support BJP candidate Ashwini Ray Sarkar and strengthen the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prime Minister Modi.
Shah started off the campaign with the rally in Dudhnoi, describing the place as a “mini Assam” and a melting pot of cultures.
He contrasted the BJP’s record with that of the Congress. “The Congress never made an Adivasi woman the President. It was Prime Minister Modi who ensured Droupadi Murmu became the President of India,” he said.
He also announced a series of welfare measures focused on farmers and tribal households. “We will establish dairy infrastructure in every district, and ensure that every tribal family has a cow and a buffalo. This is not just a promise, we will fulfill it” Shah said.
Expanding on financial support, he added, “Farmers who earlier received Rs 6,000 annually will now get Rs 11,000.” He also promised subsidies of up to Rs 3 lakh for tractors and Rs 50,000 for power tillers.
Shah further said that vegetable market chains would be developed with land ownership given to local people, boosting rural incomes.
“We will empower farmers by making them stakeholders in market infrastructure,” he noted.
Shah is on a two-day visit to Assam and has been actively campaigning across constituencies ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for April 9.