After Tathagata Roy, Assam governor PB Acharya has now become the second governor in the North-East to have come out so explicitly in batting for Hindutva ideology.
Acharya, a former RSS pracharak as described by official website of Nagaland government, said on Saturday that “Hindustan is for Hindus” expressing his abhorrence for inclusion of a single Bangladeshi in the updating of the National Register for Citizens (NRC).
Acharya, in a complete disdain to the constitutional post he occupies, made these communally charged comments during a book launch.
He was replying to a question on updating the NRC list and on the controversy surrounding the Centre’s notification of allowing religious minorities from Pakistan and Bangladesh fleeing persecution to seek shelter in India.
Adding that there was nothing wrong for Hindus from other countries taking shelter in India, he said that India was essentially for Hindus.
“Hindustan is for Hindus. There is nothing wrong with that. Hindus from different countries can stay here. They cannot be outsiders. There is nothing to be feared about that. But how to accommodate them is a big question and we should think about that,” Acharya was quoted by Times of India.
He added, “The integrity of the country is at stake. The northeast is in a danger zone. Different ideological groups are posing a threat to our country. We should strive to save our integrity,” said Acharya.
Acharya is not the only BJP-appointed governor for bringing what many feel disrepute to the office of governor through his pro-Hindutva comments. His counterpart in Tripura, Roy( also a former RSS pracharak), is also known for making hugely controversial statements often against one minority community.
These former RSS pracharaks were appointed as governors after Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. Modi’s political rivals and many social media users always accused the prime minister of deliberately choosing to appoint new governors with RSS background.
Here’s a snapshot of twitter conversation on this latest foot in mouth syndrome affecting another BJP appointed governor:
Hindustan is for Hindus unity in diversity is a myth.
— Sumit Mishra (@inshortsumit) November 22, 2015
@AnupamPkher Assam governor says Hindustan is for Hindus . Where should we go Mr Kher . Pl get us pr of some country so that we can move out
— jagtar singh mann (@mann1043) November 22, 2015
Hindustan is for Hindus: Assam governor" so what about minorities ? Are they from a diff planet ?" https://t.co/QfIS8Bv1w0
— Binoy chacko (@binoy_chacko) November 22, 2015
Assam Guv PBAcharya says"Hindustan is for Hindus"
What if the UAE,SA,ME countries say their sts are for Muslims?Can India absorb the expats?— LEENA (@kunfaaya) November 22, 2015
Wao i think DR APJ abdul kalam to listen that feel proud "@timesofindia: Hindustan is for Hindus: Assam governor
— Ashu Aneja (@ashuaneja1) November 21, 2015
Can't blame muslims 4 turning into terrorist now.If u corner them in with vile comments e.g Hindustan is for hindus,they'll attack 2 survive
— Sayan (@Tweets_by_Sayan) November 22, 2015