n response to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s critique of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has stepped forward to defend the legislation. Prasad’s staunch defense comes amidst accusations of communal tension and misinformation surrounding the controversial law.
During a press conference, Prasad reiterated that the CAA does not strip any Indian citizen of their citizenship but rather aims to provide refuge to individuals persecuted based on their faith. He called out those spreading falsehoods about the CAA, urging them to cease their efforts. “Stop telling lies,” he emphasized.
Prasad specifically targeted political parties in southern India, singling out Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and urged them to refrain from stoking hatred regarding the CAA. He underscored India’s historical role in granting citizenship to refugees and stressed that the CAA aligns with India’s commitment to offering refuge through legal channels.
Dispelling concerns about job or citizenship loss for Indian citizens, Prasad accused Kejriwal of indulging in vote-bank politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “No one’s jobs are being taken. No one’s citizenship is being taken. This has nothing to do with Indian citizens,” Prasad asserted.
Kejriwal, earlier, had criticized the implementation of the CAA, condemning it as “dirty vote bank politics.” Expressing apprehensions about an influx of poor minorities from neighboring countries, he warned of potential repercussions on India’s socio-economic fabric and law and order.
“The BJP wants to spend the money of our people in settling poor migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh by giving them houses and jobs here,” Kejriwal stated, expressing concerns about the strain on resources and the potential rise in criminal activities.
The chief minister called for the repeal of the CAA and urged citizens to vote against the BJP if their demands are not met.
Enacted by the BJP-led government, the Citizenship Amendment Act seeks to grant citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
In the face of ongoing debate and political discord, the BJP’s response to Kejriwal’s criticism underscores the party’s commitment to defending the CAA while challenging the narrative of misinformation and communal tension. As the discourse continues, the clash of ideologies and political strategies surrounding the CAA remains a focal point in India’s socio-political landscape.
