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Manipuri Filmmaker Returns Padma Shri to Protest Citizenship Bill

Noted Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma announced that he would like to return the prestigious award on Sunday.

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Noted Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma has decided to return his 2006 Padma Shri award in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, reported ANI on Sunday, 3 February.

According to an NDTV report, 82-year-old Sharma announced that he would like to return the prestigious award in Imphal.

On Sunday, former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta also warned the Narendra Modi government that a "volatile" situation will arise in the state if the contentious Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha, reported PTI.

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The two-time chief minister and founder-president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) said the state is witnessing a mass uprising, similar to the Assam agitation of 1979-85, against the proposed legislation and the situation may turn worse if the NDA government "doesn't respect" people's sentiment.

In January, families of the people who died during protests against illegal immigration in Assam in the 1980s, returned the awards that were given to them by the current government in the state to voice their discontent with the Bill, the NDTV report further pointed out.

The controversial Bill provides for Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslims of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session on 8 January and has been awaiting the Rajya Sabha nod.

There has been strong opposition in Assam and other Northeastern states against the Bill.

(With inputs from NDTV and PTI.)

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Topics:  manipur   Citizenship Bill   Filmmaker 

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