In the wake of protests across the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will not be withdrawn come what may.
While speaking at an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow on January 21st, 2020, Shah said, “This law will not be withdrawn, no matter who protests. We are not scared of opposition, we were born in it.”
He added, “Narendra Modi has brought the CAA. Congress, Mamta Banerjee, Akhilesh, Mayawati, Kejriwal are all spreading confusion against it. Confusion is being spread against the CAA in the country, rioting is taking place. There is no provision for taking citizenship of anyone anywhere in the CAA, there is a provision for granting citizenship in it.”
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions challenging the constitutionality of the CAA on January 22nd, 2020. A total number of 75 petitions challenging the CAA has been filed in the apex court.
“Mamata didi, Akhilesh ji, Mayawati ji, I dare you to a debate on the CAA anywhere in the country. I dare you to show me any clause in the act that talks about taking away any one’s citizenship. If it can take citizenship of any person, then prove it and show it,” Shah said.
The Centre notified the CAA on January 11th, 2020. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31st, 2014.
Massive protests broke out in the country soon after the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in both the houses of the parliament. Those protesting against the law say that the Act is discriminatory and creates a divide on the basis of religion.
Photo credit: @BJP4UP
