Narendra Modi at Belur Math in Kolkata: Citizenship Act doesn't take away citizenship, it's a law to grant one, don't listen to Opposition, says PM

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"Centre has merely amended a small portion of the existing Citizenship Amendment Act. The amendment will help us give citizenship, it does not mean that citizenship will be taken away from anyone," Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained at the Belur Math in Kolkata on Sunday at a time when West Bengal has been witnessing widespread protests against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act.

Hundreds of protesters holding black flags demonstrated outside Kolkata airport gate number one crossing at the prime minister's arrival on Saturday. The police had put up a barricade to prevent them from crossing over to the airport side. Rallies were taken out in several parts of North and South Kolkata, Howrah, and North 24-Parganas district to protest the prime minister's visit to the state.

Modi reportedly stayed at Belur Math on Saturday ahead of the Sunday morning address. He began his day attending a prayer meet at Belur Math to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the founder of Ramakrishna Mission. Modi and chief minister Mamata Banerjee are likely to share stage at the 150th celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

Addressing the event at Belur Math on Sunday morning, Modi said, "There has been a minor amendment to the existing Citizenship Amendment Act. India will give citizenship under that amendment. No existing citizenships will be taken away. Who will get this citizenship? Those belonging to religious minority groups in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. After Independence, Mahatma Gandhiji and other big leaders of the time, all believed that India should give citizenship to persecuted religious minorities of Pakistan. Isn't this our responsibility to save those persecuted people or not?"

"Did you understand what I explained? Did the children present here understand?" asked Modi. When the crowd chanted yes, Modi said, "What you understood so soon, Opposition in this country is unwilling to understand."

"Despite so much clarity on the issue," the prime minister said, "Opposition is using political opportunism to spread lies around CAA. Will you stand by Modi's side in this decision?" The crowd chanted yes.

"Political parties are not ready to understand the citizenship act... Despite such clarity, some people are spreading rumours about CAA. But I am happy that the youths of today helping others to get rid of the misconceptions. It's because of this (citizenship) law that people here have become aware of the kind of persecution the Hindus in Pakistan face. Pakistan is now answerable to us," Modi said.

The prime minister very briefly mentioned North East too, but without saying anything pointed about the region over protests against the CAA. "Even North East... it's our pride. Their food, their culture, their practices, their demography... Centre has ensured that demography is not messed with," said Modi.

Student organisations of the Congress and Left, Muslim organisations, and university students including those from Jadavpur and Presidency, hit the streets in protest. Modi met Mamata later on Saturday evening, but the meeting was reportedly a short one as Mamata soon left for a anti-CAA rally soon after.

Mamata and Modi are also likely to share the stage during a programme in Kolkata today. "As far as we know, she (Banerjee) will attend a programme of the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) on 12 January, where the prime minister would also be present," a senior TMC leader told PTI.

The significant political development comes a day after Mamata had said in the state Assembly that she will boycott an opposition meeting called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on 13 January over the JNU violence, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and other "anti-people" policies of the Centre. Ever since the BJP emerged the main contender of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal following the Lok Sabha poll results, Modi and Mamata have not shared the dais at any government programme.

The chief minister had gone to New Delhi in September last year and met Modi in a "courtesy call" visit. The new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.

With inputs from agencies



from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/2TfbTp5
FP Staff

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