Citizenship bill stir: Hazarika’s son hits out over Ratna move

GUWAHATI: The son of singer Bhupen Hazarika said on Monday receiving the Bharat Ratna award given to his father would be a “display of short-lived cheap thrills” as he hit out at the Centre’s proposed amendment to the citizenship law that has evoked strong reaction in the seven north-eastern states.

The Citizenship ( Amendment) Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The legislation has triggered widespread protests and demonstrations across the north-east amid the concern that it could dilute local and indigenous identity by accelerating demographic change.

Tez Hazarika, the son of singer from Assam, in a statement said: “I believe that my father’s name and words are being invoked and celebrated publicly while plans are afoot to pass a painfully unpopular bill regarding citizenship that is actually undermining his documented position. It would in reality be in direct opposition to what Bhupen da believed in his heart of hearts.”

Tez, who is based in the US, said accepting the country’s highest civilian award on behalf of his father would be “display of short lived cheap thrills” against the backdrop of the agitation over the citizenship bill. “The Centre’s move on this matter (Citizenship law) far outweighs the importance to the award,” the statement added.