CAA Notified: Opposition Leaders Slam New Rules As ‘Divisive’ And ‘Distracting’

The Union Home Ministry has notified rules for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019.

The objective of the CAA is to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who are non-Muslim and entered India before December 31, 2014.

While some opposition parties alleged that it is a move to polarise the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, others went on to call it BJP's game of distraction.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has claimed that this move is just publicity by the BJP for the elections. "If people are deprived of their rights under the rules, then we will fight against it," she said.

Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, described the CAA notification as a distraction tactic by the BJP. According to him, Centre should clarify the reasons behind the large number of citizens renouncing their citizenship during their 10-year rule.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi warned that the move will force many to again take to the streets to protest. He posted, “Our objections to CAA remain the same. CAA is divisive & based on Godse’s thought that wanted to reduce Muslims to second-class citizens.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan labeled the law as one that fosters division along communal lines and asserted that it will not be implemented in the southern state.

Questioning the timing of the notification, CPI's D. Raja said, "The rules are being framed to divide the people, create tension among the people at the time of elections."

Congress MLA from Assam, Akhil Gogoi, called this an “attack on Assam and the entire country”. He said, “We appeal to all to come out and protest against this law peacefully and democratically.''