Guwahati, January 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be skipping the inauguration of Khelo India Youth Games' third edition in Assam amid the ongoing protests in the state against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The opening ceremony is scheduled to be held in Guwahati on January 10, with PM Modi being listed as the chief guest for the event. Why Assam and Neighbouring States Are Up in Protest Against CAA?

The event organisers, while speaking to reporters, said they have been unofficially conveyed that the Indian PM would not be able to attend the inaugural ceremony of Khelo India. In his absence, the games would be flagged off by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has so far not issued a statement on whether Modi would be attending the event. Sources privy to the matter said that the Centre's silence should be considered as cancellation, as a visit involving the PM is confirmed way in advance.

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU), which is leading a statewide stir against the CAA, has announced they would escalate their protests if the Prime Minister turns up for inauguration of Khelo India Games.

AASU chief adviser Samujjal K. Bhattacharjya said on Tuesday that the state will never accept a visit by the Prime Minister unless the citizenship law, "which violates the Assam Accord", is revoked. The Students' Union, he said, will continue their agitation indefinitely as the CAA is against the rights of indigenous people.

The protests in Assam, Northeast and other parts of India broke out in the second week of December, after Parliament passed the law to naturalise non-Muslim refugees who entered the nation from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh on or before December 31, 2014. While Northeast groups see it as a violation of the Assam Accord, protesting bodies in mainland India view CAA - in prism of the proposed nationwide NRC - as a ploy to strip the citizenship of vulnerable Indian Muslims.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2020 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).