POBNEWS24, New Delhi, Mar 15, 2024 : “Amended Citizenship Act will not be revoked. It is our sovereign decision to secure Indian citizenship in our country. I will never compromise with this”, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He said this in an interview given to the news agency UNI. At the same time, he said that the amended Citizenship Act or CAA is ‘not anti-Muslim’.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) came into force on Monday after nearly four and a half years of its passage by Parliament. After that, different responses were received from different parts of the country.
While there has been an atmosphere of celebration in support of the enactment of the law, there have also been protests and demonstrations against it. Political pressure continues on this
Opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress, Left, Aam Aadmi Party have attacked the BJP government over CAA. These opponents have also informed that they will not allow this law to be implemented in their respective states.
“I will not allow the rights of a single person to be taken away. I will not allow you to be expelled from Bengal,” said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
She alleged that BJP was trying to polarize religiously.
During an interview with news agency UNI, Amit Shah directly fired back at his answer.
“I request Mamataji, there are several other platforms to do politics, but please don’t harm Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh,” he said.
Mr Shah has also lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Waisi.
Targeting the opposition, he said that they do ‘politics of lies’.
However, even though the opposition is targeted, many people think that this is actually ‘cleansing’ by Mee Shah to mitigate the controversy and confusion that has been going on since the implementation of the CAA before the polls.
The Union Home Minister’s assurances did not reassure the government of Kabial Manoranjan, who has been agitating for the rights of the Matuas.
“Nobody will get citizenship as easily as it is said to be. Those who have analyzed this law know. The impact of the amended Citizenship Act is bound to fall on people’s lives. And because he knows about it, the Ministry of Home Affairs has to make so many statements,” said Mr. Sarkar.
According to political analysts, this announcement is made keeping in mind the upcoming elections, keeping in mind the poll numbers.
Attacking opponents
Amit Shah has said that this law will not be withdrawn in any way even if it faces strong criticism or protests.
His clear reply, “CAA will never be revoked.”
The opposition has been attacking the BJP government for this law since the beginning.
In this regard, M Shah said, “The CAA was brought by the BJP, brought by the Narendra Modi-led government. It is impossible to repeal it. We will make everyone aware across the country so that those who want to repeal it do not get a chance.”
On the other hand, the opposition has attacked the CAA as ‘unconstitutional’.
Mamata Banerjee said, “I have taken the opinion of lawyers. They also told me it was done to torture common people.”
“It is unconstitutional and discriminatory as per Article 14 of the Constitution. It is giving you a face to win two or three seats.”
In an interview given to UNI, however, the Union Home Minister dismissed this allegation.
He said, “This Act does not violate Article 14. There is a clear and reasonable hierarchy.”
“This law is for those who stayed in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh due to partition and decided to come to India due to religious persecution,” he said.
‘Not an anti-Muslim law’
The opposition also alleged that the amended Citizenship Act was against Muslims.
In response to the sarcasm of former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti or President of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Asaduddin Waisi, Amit Shah said, “On what grounds is it anti-Muslim? The main provision of CAA is religious persecution. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are Muslim countries. Muslims are the majority there.”
“Those who are minorities in these countries are said to be given citizenship. So how can the law be called anti-Muslim? NRC has nothing to do with it. It is a law to grant citizenship, not to take it away”, he said.
However, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, refused to accept Mr. Shah’s argument.
In his words, “It is religious polarization thinking about votes. BJP has always been against Muslims. The same has happened with the CAA.”
On the other hand, Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam said, “BJP is saying these things because they want to confuse people before the vote. They understand nothing but division in the name of religion.”
“BJP is not only anti-Muslim but anti-people. If the aim is to give citizenship, then why apply for it if it can give it?”
“For example, think about the Matuas. They have been here for many years. They have been living here. They have Aadhaar cards, they are voting”, said Mr. Islam.
Arvind Kejriwal’s controversial comments
On Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal opposed the CAA, saying the law would encourage the immigration of minorities from the three countries mentioned. There will be problems regarding job, accommodation etc.
“Through this act, BJP opened the way for minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan. If this infiltration continues, crime will increase. Incidents like theft, robbery and rape will also increase. Said Mr. Kejriwal.
His comments sparked a heated debate. Refugees were seen protesting near his home on Thursday.
They also demanded an apology from the Delhi Chief Minister for the remark.
In his interview, Mr. Shah responded to Mr. Kejriwal’s allegations. At the same time, he made a counter-complaint.
“He does not know that the immigrants he is talking about are already living in this country. We are only talking about giving them legal citizenship. Why is he not talking about the illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh? Aren’t you talking against the Rohingyas?” Amit Shah asked.
“The Chief Minister of Delhi is doing poll politics. Forgot about partition. He should talk to the refugee families,” he said.
However, the Delhi Chief Minister gave the answer. His counter argument is that Rohingyas came to India after 2014 during BJP rule.
Mr. Kejriwal said, “Rohingyas have come to your time after 2014. Is it your failure or collusion? If CAA is implemented, minorities will come to India in droves.”
Timing
It was already clear that BJP wants to introduce CAA before the polls. Amit Shah himself mentioned this in several meetings.
“Timing doesn’t matter here. “BJP’s 2019 manifesto made it clear that they will bring in CAA and give Indian citizenship to refugees (from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan),” he said in a recent interview.
But according to political analysts, there are special reasons behind introducing the CAA before the polls
