In a gag order to its education department employees, the Assam government has prohibited them from participating in protests agains the Citizenship Amendment Act.
The Telegraph reported that in an order issued on Tuesday, the education department in the state told its teachers and other employees that those posting “political comments” on social media such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram were violating “the provision of Assam Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964”.
Twitter user Paragmoni Aditya shared a copy of the notice on his timeline.
The notice said the government employees who indulged in political activities on these websites will face disciplinary action.
This gag order comes amid nation-wide outrage against the CAA. Assam saw the most violent of protests with mobile internet shutdowns and imposition of curfews. Five people have died during the protest against the NRC and CAA in Assam this month.
PTI reported that even on Christmas day Assam saw protests across the state amid muted celebrations.
It was the first state in India where the NRC was conducted, and 19 lakh people were left out of the final version released in August.
The Assam government on Monday said the state will not be a part of the proposed nationwide NRC if the Supreme Court allows reverification of 20 per cent names in border districts of the recently published document.
Addressing a press conference here, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state does not accept the existing National Register of Citizens (NRC), the final list of which was published on August 31 this year with over 19 lakh exclusions.
“If the SC accepts our demand of 20 per cent reverification in bordering districts, then we don’t need a national one. We’re sure there will be lots of mistakes in that reverification. Then we will request reverification in the entire state,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)