Amit Shah Defends CAA Against Opposition Criticism

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stressed that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is not discriminatory against Muslims, accusing opposition parties of spreading falsehoods. In an interview with news agency ANI, Shah reiterated his stance on the CAA, emphasizing that it does not strip any citizen of their rights and has been extensively discussed on various platforms to reassure minorities.

The CAA, Shah explained, aims to grant citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians.

Responding to concerns about potential protests, Shah affirmed that the government has no intention of rolling back the CAA, regardless of opposition. He criticized opposition leaders for targeting the law’s implementation, asserting that it was brought by the BJP and will not be repealed.

Addressing criticisms of the CAA’s constitutionality, Shah argued that the law does not violate Article 14 and provides a reasonable classification for those facing religious persecution in neighboring countries.

Regarding the timing of the law’s implementation, Shah dismissed accusations of political opportunism, stating that the BJP had outlined its agenda, including the CAA, in its 2019 manifesto. He attributed any delays to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shah refuted allegations of appeasement politics, asserting that the BJP’s actions are aimed at addressing historical injustices and protecting minorities.

He contextualized the CAA within the historical backdrop of partition and reiterated the BJP’s opposition to the division of the country along religious lines. Shah emphasized the rights of persecuted minorities to seek refuge and citizenship in India.

Responding to allegations by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Shah challenged her to identify any clause in the CAA that threatens the citizenship of Indian minorities. He accused Banerjee of attempting to sow discord between Hindus and Muslims for political gain.

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