Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), reiterated his party’s staunch opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement of its imminent implementation before the Lok Sabha polls. Owaisi condemned the CAA, labeling it as “wrong” and contending that it fundamentally contradicts the spirit of India by being based solely on religious grounds.
“This is the wrong law. It is against the essence of India and is formed purely based on religion,” Owaisi stated emphatically. He highlighted the interconnectedness of the CAA with the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), arguing that it disproportionately affects Muslims, Dalits, and the economically disadvantaged segments of society.
“AIMIM has always been against CAA and will continue to oppose it,” Owaisi affirmed, emphasizing his party’s unwavering stance against the contentious legislation.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to implement the CAA before the upcoming polls, dismissing any ambiguity surrounding its enforcement. Shah underscored the historical context of the CAA, attributing its genesis to the Congress government’s pledge to shelter refugees fleeing persecution in neighboring countries.
“CAA is an act of the country; it will definitely be notified. It will be notified before the polls. CAA will be implemented by the polls, and there should be no confusion around it,” Shah asserted during his address at the ET Now-Global Business summit in New Delhi.
The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants who faced persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Despite its passage in December 2019 and subsequent presidential assent, the legislation has triggered widespread protests across the country, underscoring deep-seated divisions and concerns regarding its discriminatory implications.
The divergence in perspectives between political leaders such as Owaisi and Shah reflects the ongoing debate surrounding the CAA and its implications for India’s secular fabric and communal harmony. With the specter of implementation looming large, the contentious nature of the legislation continues to fuel heated discussions and impassioned dissent across the political spectrum.
Sources By Agencies