‘Communal’, ‘Publicity’, ‘Divisive’, ‘Discriminatory’: Reactions To CAA Notification
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government’s notification for the implementation of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has sparked a flurry of reactions from political leaders, activists, and civil society organizations, with sentiments ranging from condemnation to apprehension.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan denounced the CAA as a “communal agenda” designed to sow division among people, asserting that it would not be implemented in Kerala.
“This can only be seen as part of the Hindutva communal agenda of the Sangh Parivar. Denying citizenship to Muslims while granting citizenship to non-Muslims who immigrated to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before 31 December 2014, is a blatant violation of the Constitution. This amounts to defining Indian citizenship on the basis of religion. It is an open challenge to humanity, the nation’s secular tradition and its people,” Mr Vijayan said.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee adopted a cautious approach, stating that she would scrutinize the rules before formulating a response. She cautioned against potential deprivation of rights under the rules and warned of opposition if the rights of people were compromised.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a scathing attack on the Union BJP Government, accusing it of weaponizing the CAA to discriminate based on religion and race. He criticized the enactment of the CAA as a betrayal of Muslims and Sri Lankan Tamils, emphasizing the need to repeal the legislation to uphold social harmony and secularism.
“Union BJP Government”s divisive agenda has weaponised the Citizenship Act, turning it from a beacon of humanity to a tool of discrimination based on religion and race through the enactment of CAA. By betraying Muslims and Sri Lankan Tamils, they sowed seeds of division,” he wrote on X post.
Congress leader KC Venugopal criticized the timing of the CAA notification, labeling it a “diversionary tactic” ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He questioned the delay in implementing the law, suggesting that the government”s sincerity on the issue was questionable.
Amnesty India issued a statement condemning the CAA as a discriminatory law that violates constitutional values of equality and international human rights law. The organization expressed concerns about the exclusionary nature of the law, particularly its impact on Muslims, Tamils from Sri Lanka, and immigrants from other countries.
ET Mohammed Basheer, IUML senior leader and Member of Parliament, said himself and his party are moving the Supreme Court demanding to squash the notification on CAA implementation.
”The government’s decision on this is unconstitutional and it is discrimination on the basis of caste, creed and race. The Indian Constitution does not allow for discrimination on the basis of caste. And the party also stands for equality for all the citizens of India irrespective of religion. Equality before the law is the principle of the Constitution,” Mr Basheer added.
